Ministry of Labour & Social Security

		PRINT THIS			SEND TO A FRIEND

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Alvin McIntosh, has issued an order calling on the developers of the Bahia Principe Hotel, at Pear Tree Bottom in St. Ann, to suspend construction until investigations into the accident, which has resulted in the death of one worker and injuries to some 15 employees, are completed.

The death and injuries resulted from the collapse of a concrete structure being erected, towards the end of the work day, at about 5:00 p.m., yesterday (August 2). The persons who were injured are being treated at the St. Ann's Bay Hospital.

Mr. McIntosh said that the Government needed to be assured of the safety of workers on the building site, as this was the second major accident on the hotel construction site in recent months.

Late last night (August 2), Minister of Information and Development, Senator Colin Campbell, told JIS News that Ralph Wint, the Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Labour Ministry for the parish of St. Ann, visited the site immediately after the accident.

"He will be submitting a report first thing this morning (August 3)," Minister Campbell explained, "and Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Hon. Derrick Kellier; Permanent Secretary McIntosh and other Ministry officials will tour the construction site later today".

Minister Campbell has also written to the Pinero Group, developers of the resort hotel, requesting an early meeting to discuss the construction problems being experienced.

"We are very concerned about the safety measures on this construction site," he said, "and the government needs to be reassured that proper procedures are in place before further construction can take place".

The Minister also expressed condolence to the relatives of the worker who died, and extended his sympathies to those who were injured, with best wishes for a speedy recovery.

		PRINT THIS			SEND TO A FRIEND