—family disputes GuySuCo’s account of support

The brother of 23-year-old Albion Estate supernumerary constable Latchman Raghoo, who died early yesterday following a forklift accident last week, has called for justice and compensation while challenging GuySuCo’s account of the support provided to the family.

Raghoo, of Albion Front, Corentyne, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital after surgery to amputate his right leg, according to his brother, Akash Raghoo. He had been hospitalised since the September 22 accident at the estate’s sugar bond.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Keoma Griffith told Kiskadee Watch yesterdaythat an investigation had been launched after the ministry learnt of the accident. He said the worker’s death had elevated the matter and that he was awaiting a detailed report.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), over a week after the accident, yesterday called for a full, transparent investigation into the accident and any deficiencies in workplace safety.

In a statement dated October 1, GuySuCo expressed condolences and said it had remained in close contact with Raghoo’s family since the incident.

“Since the incident occurred, GuySuCo has remained in close contact with Mr. Raghoo’s family and has provided support through the Estate Management and Medical Department,” the corporation stated, adding that it would continue supporting the family during their bereavement.

Akash, however, said that apart from the estate doctor, who visited the hospital and helped the family understand his brother’s treatment, he did not believe the corporation had provided meaningful assistance.

“I really can’t say they did anything, they did nothing,” he said when asked about GuySuCo’s response.

He credited the estate doctor with following up on his brother’s condition and explaining matters the family did not understand.

“The estate doctor is the only one who came to the hospital, he was the only one who cared about us,” Akash said.

He acknowledged that Albion’s factory and production managers had spent about an hour at the family’s home on one occasion. He said senior personnel contacted the family on Wednesday, more than a week after the accident and after the matter had been publicised on Facebook, to arrange a visit for yesterday. 

“They had all week to see him when he was talking and everything. Now they coming when he die. What they coming for?” he asked.

Akash said the family had not questioned his brother in detail about the accident while he was able to speak because they wanted him to concentrate on recovering and remained optimistic that he would improve.

According to the account relayed to the family, Raghoo was checking sugar in the bond when the forklift operator told persons to move. He reportedly bent down to retrieve his bag and book from the ground when the forklift reversed and pinned him against bags of sugar.

Reversed

Akash said the family was told that after being alerted, the operator drove forward but then reversed again, striking his brother a second time. He said the family understood that the operator might not initially have seen Raghoo and might subsequently have panicked.

Akash said the family had heard nothing from the forklift operator.

He described his brother’s injuries as a broken right hip, a broken left leg and an ankle fracture. According to him, the right leg subsequently became swollen and the family was told there were problems with blood circulation.

Akash also criticised the initial treatment at the Port Mourant Hospital, alleging that the seriousness of his brother’s injuries was not promptly recognised.

He said the accident occurred at approximately 3.30 pm and his brother reached the hospital around 4 pm. He recalled waits to see a doctor and undergo an ultrasound, saying that staff initially checked his brother’s vital signs but did not fully examine his injuries.

“They operated like if it is a normal minor injury,” he said.

According to Akash, his brother was still wearing his uniform and socks during the initial assessment. He said it was only when he lifted him and noticed blood on his own hand that he alerted staff to the bleeding.

He said he removed his brother’s socks and staff then cut the uniform and became more active in attending to him.

Akash said Raghoo left Port Mourant for the New Amsterdam Hospital after 6 pm. He praised the treatment at New Amsterdam, saying personnel worked to stabilise his brother before arranging his transfer to Georgetown.

According to him, Raghoo left for the Georgetown Public Hospital at approximately 12.30 am the following morning. The family was told that his chances were “50-50,” he recalled, adding that the ambulance completed the journey in approximately 45 minutes. 

Akash said his brother underwent his first surgery at around 6.50 am, approximately 15 hours after the accident. He said doctors made incisions in the right leg in an effort to address the circulation problem.

Raghoo’s condition later deteriorated. Akash said the family was told that damaged tissue was affecting his brother’s blood and kidneys. Dialysis was considered on Tuesday, September 29, but could not proceed because of his critical condition, he said.

Surgery to amputate the right leg was subsequently arranged and was completed at approximately 3 am yesterday. According to Akash, his brother’s heart stopped while he was being taken back to the intensive care unit.

A post-mortem examination is still needed to establish the cause of death. 

Akash described the brothers as close and supportive of each other and their parents.

“Right now we just want to get everything over with,” he said, referring to the funeral arrangements. He nevertheless called for justice and compensation for the family’s loss.

Unfortunate

Griffith, speaking to Kiskadee Watch, expressed condolences and described the death as unfortunate. He said the ministry had been aware of the accident last week and had initiated an investigation.

The minister said certain matters, including the cause of death, had to be established before the ministry could issue its findings. He said he would await the post-mortem examination and a detailed report rather than make a premature statement.

GuySuCo, meanwhile, said it would ensure that relevant internal processes were followed and that the circumstances of the incident were fully reviewed.

Before Raghoo’s death, the corporation had rejected suggestions that it had been absent or indifferent. As reported in yesterday’s Kiskadee Watch, GuySuCo on Wednesday said estate management and its medical department had been in daily contact with the family and were providing support. It also criticised what it described as misrepresentation of the incident on social media. 

GAWU said the investigation should establish the circumstances of Raghoo’s injury and death, identify underlying causes or safety deficiencies, and determine whether occupational health and safety procedures were adequate and properly implemented.

It called for clear recommendations and corrective measures, as well as stronger safety protocols, training and protective provisions across GuySuCo’s workplaces.

“Production and operational demands should never compromise the protection of workers and others performing their duties within the Corporation’s workplaces,” the union stated.

APNU MP Vinceroy Jordan also renewed his call for answers, questioning the forklift’s maintenance, the operator’s training and authorisation, the safety procedures in place and the assistance provided to the family.

“A worker went to work and did not return home. His family, colleagues and the wider sugar community deserve answers, accountability and transparency,” Jordan wrote.

He accused GuySuCo of failing the worker and his family in its safety and welfare responsibilities.