A construction worker was electrocuted and two others seriously injured at an Essequibo Coast worksite yesterday morning.
Surendra “Chris” Persaud, 31, of Middlesex, Essequibo Coast was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Hospital. His co-workers Kenneth ‘Ken’ Ellis, 39, of Sand Pit and Lall Sankar, 28, of Vilvoorden were injured when they tried to help him.
Police said in a press release last night that they were treated for burns at the Suddie Hospital and sent away.
Persaud, Ellis, and Sankar employed by Max’s Construction Company. The men were among a team contracted by rice miller and exporter Hack’s Investment. The incident occurred around 9.35 am at Hack’s Golden Fleece, Essequibo location. After the incident, operations were stopped for the day.
Stabroek News understands that Persaud was fetching a length of steel rod to the upper storey of a building when it came into contact with an exposed electrical wire.
Persaud, reports said, screamed as he was being electrocuted. He collapsed and the live steel rod fell on top him maintaining contact with his body.
It was at this point that Ellis and Sankar rushed over to help. They sustained electrical shocks as they tried to lift the steel rod from Persaud’s body.
Meanwhile, Persaud’s sister told Stabroek News in a telephone interview that when she arrived at the hospital, his body was being transported to the mortuary. “His hands and his belly were scorched,” she said.
The woman said that she was informed of the incident by Persaud’s reputed wife. “My brother boss man call his wife and tell her about it,” she explained.
Persaud has been working with the construction company for about two years. His sister was unable to say whether he was wearing gloves when the incident occurred.
When Stabroek News contacted the owner of the construction firm yesterday, the man said he was at the police station “dealing with the matter” and couldn’t speak at the time. Several efforts made to contact him again were futile.
Persaud’s sister was unable to say what action they will be taking since her brother died on the job. “We’re still shocked now,” she said, “and we need time to think.”
my condolences to the persaud’s famaly. and a speedy recovery to the two injuried men…when will people make sure that all electricial wire/extension cord/drop cord are properly secured and no part is expose..or hanging dangerously…people needs to refuse to work in an unsafe place…its an accident but more care and precaution needs to be taken as you can see current you could only feel it when it hit you….
I totally agree with the above comments. Thank you!
Heartfelt sympathy goes out to Mr Persaud’s family who, I know, will have a huge empty space in their lives. I am so sorry to hear that. May God Bless and keep him safely,and may the two other employees recover quickly by the Blessings of God also. ALL THE VERY BEST FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY.
It was only late last year I read about a fire burning down some reknowned businesses because of loose electrical wirings nearby. Steps have to be taken to ensure that accidents such as Mr Persaud’s does not occur too often. Accidents will always happen, but more precautions must be taken to avoid too many casualties. Some workers may be wearing trainers or slippers, because perhaps that is all they can afford. One of the first steps that should be taken to ensure safety at work is that EMPLOYERS SHOULD PROVIDE SUITABLE ATTIRE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. Surely there should have been a qualified Foreman/Supervisor to overlook these safety at work situations?
It is so sad to think that your Dad has left for work as usual but never to return home again. I am so sad to read news like these.
PLEASE MR JAGDEO, HELP TO DO SOMETHING TO AVOID THESE SITUATIONS OCCURRING IN THE FUTURE. There should be no building exposed to loose wirings/plumbing or other dangerous means, and although, it may be difficult in finding highly qualified employees, with GOOD TRAINING in ALL TRADES, this will be a good starting point!
Regards.
Very tragic. Life safety inspections were not carried out on this job site.
well i hope this an accident .. my deepest regards to this family rip
Of course it was a darn accident and one that was waiting to happen. No standards, no enforcement, no nuttin!!! So much wrong.
I really believe that them guys in that pink building on Brickdam are running a cake shop or they own personal lil fiefdom rather than a country!!!
I think guyanese workers needs to be safety conscious when working, i’ve seen many wearing slippers and sneakers to work on constuction sites, and proper safety equipment not worn. My condolences goes out to the family of persaud.
This is not a Guyanese thing. It is a Caribbean thing. I had to insist that an electrician turn off the mains at my house (in St Lucia) before working on a light fixture. He kept asking me “why you so afraid of current?”. Caribbean people need to pay more attention to safety and security – both at home and in the workplace.
Amenra, you and other people down there in the US talk like you are in the best part of the world, equipped with everything. Why don’t you give comment to the big explosion of the gas plant in one part of the US? who killed 5 people in the spot and shakin’ the houses as far as 50 kms away?
nothin!
I am in Guyana, the USA accident will be thoroughly investigated and blame apportioned and the culprits punished. But you and I are in Guyana …
This is sad, his family should be able to have some compensation from the owner of the company, would not bring him back but would help his family out, this is a dangerous job…
Notice, sharda how the owner of Max’s Construction Company evaded giving ANY COMMENT WHATSOEVER TO STABROEK NEWS.
I fear that a police investigation my not lead very far too..
How this looked,like the did`t have any safe working practises,etc hope the Ministry of labour occupation health & safety dept.Do a thourough investigation to ascertain what really transpired.
you sure are correct.
Manzoor is talking so much about health and safety at workplace where are his inspectors? on the Essequibo Coast there are so much breaches of the laws.As a former trade unionist i have seen employers doing all sorts of things with employees
My sincerest and heartfelt condolances to the bereved family members.
I trust that the Ministry of Labour will investigate this incident, through the Occupational Health & Safety Department and compensate the family.
Did Mr. has insurance for the employees?
What about N.I.S. also?
Sad to hear but,i hope the ministry of labour occupational health & safety department conduct a through investigation to ascertain how this accident happen because some contractors just work these guys and don`t have any h&s rule in place,sometimes no h&s officer is not even employed by the company.
condolences to the bereaved relatives, safty it seems was the main fault here, hope the company extend conpensation to his relatives.