Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[Tuff Gong]

Thu Aug 3, 2006
Worker injured during Bahia Principe accident dies


One of the victims of Wednesday's accident on the Bahia Prinicipe Hotel site has died.

Speaking with the RJR News Centre Thursday morning, Mayor of St. Anns Bay, Delroy Giscombe, said he was informed that the worker succumbed to head injuries Thursday morning.

The name of the worker has not yet been released.

Meanwhile an inter-agency meeting is slated to be held Thursday evening as the investigation into Wednesday's accident continues.

Mayor Giscombe says the meeting will involve personnel from the Parish Council as well as representatives of the Ministry of Labour.

The construction site was ordered closed Wednesday evening after scaffolding on which workers were standing collapsed several feet to the ground.

Following the accident, Chairman of the St. Ann Parish Council, Delroy Giscombe, held an emergency meeting with the hotel's developers and ordered the closure.

It is understood that eight of the 15 injured workers have been released from hospital.

In May a section of a decking, measuring about 800 square feet collapsed injuring three workers.

Additionally, a team headed by Labour Minister, Derick Kellier will be touring the Bahia Principe construction site Thursday afternoon.

The team will then meet with representatives of the St. Ann Parish Council and the developers of the project.

Meanwhile, Minister of Development, Colin Campbell has written to the Pinero Group, the developers of the hotel requesting an early meeting to discuss the construction problems.

In his letter, Mr. Campbell said the Government needed to be assured that proper procedures are in place before work resumes on the project.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding has directed two persons from his party's shadow cabinet to visit the hotel site.

He says the party's spokesman on Labour and Social Security, Ruddy Spencer along with spokesman on Construction Dr. Horace Chang will be visiting the site Friday.

Mr. Golding says the two officers have been instructed to meet with the contractors as well as officials of the St. Ann Parish Council.

The Opposition Leader says he is deeply concerned about the accident.

Worker injured during Bahia Principe accident dies

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

You mentioned in another thread that workplace injuries and deaths have gone up in the past decade. Do you have any figures on that or know where I could find the info? Thanks.

Just as an aside, in the US, people who study that sort of thing say that white collar crime, i.e. not applying work safety regulations kills more people per annum than all the murders. Idem for cooking the books resulting in more money stolen than robberies.

I suppose unenforced safety regulations don't cause 1,000+ deaths in Jamaica each year, but they're still something to take as seriously as violent crimes.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[ QUOTE ]
You mentioned in another thread that workplace injuries and deaths have gone up in the past decade. Do you have any figures on that or know where I could find the info? Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Check with the Ministry of Labour.

There is enough real and anecdotal evidence around to suggest that this is so. In the my memory there was never anyone killed in the sugar factories, there men were blown to bits recently, this was on the heels of another dying for injuries he received in the same environment.

Then there is the case of the three that died during contract work at a Mirant/JPSCo plant.

Then at least two were injured at a Bauxite Mining Operation. The Union Rep in an ottaview detailed a series of other events that have been carefully papered over.

Then we go to the Bahia Principe and its string of environmental and safety issues. To me it is too much, with too little being done.

Recently Ruddy Spencer a Union Head and Spoken Person on Labour rapped the MOL The Occupational Safety and Health Division in his Sectorial Speech. Of course as in typical in Jamaica, because he is on the Opposition the speech was not widely reported, but here is something on it. It was unspectacularly dumped inn the News in Brief Section.



[ QUOTE ]
Spencer concerned about labour ministry's safety division

OPPOSITION spokesman on labour and social security Ruddy Spencer says the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the ministry is in danger of becoming marginalised.

The concern, he told the House of Representatives in his contribution to the sectoral debate recently, has also been raised by the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) - the umbrella group of trade unions.

"In his presentation (to the debate), the minister said that he believes that work -elated accidents and ill-health can and must be prevented (at the work place). I don't think that he really meant the statement," Spencer told the House.

"If he does, why is he compounding the disregard for the skills of the hard-working public servants in the Industrial Safety Division of his ministry? The previous minister devalued their services and he is making the same mistake," said Spencer.

He said that the division was not adequately equipped to carry out its functions, including a lack of light meters and equipment to check noise levels.

The Occupational Safety and Health Division has responsibility to inspect workplaces for safety provisions under the Factories Act.[/b]

Spencer concerned about labour ministry's safety division

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[ QUOTE ]
Check with the Ministry of Labour

[/ QUOTE ]
That's funny! Have you ever been to their site? I'll keep looking though.




Ministry of Labour officials view the unfinished and damaged section of the Bahía Príncipe Hotel at Pear Tree Bottom, near Runaway Bay, St. Ann, yesterday. A section of the hotel lobby that was under construction collapsed, killing one worker and injuring others on Wednesday. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer



Work on the problem-plagued Bahía Príncipe Hotel construction site in Pear Tree Bottom, St. Ann, has been suspended for at least another five days.

The move is to facilitate investigations into the cause of Wednesday's accident at the site which cost the life of one employee, 40-year-old Linval Mitchell of Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Fifteen others were injured.

The period of the work stoppage will also be used to institute better safety practices on the site which has been plagued by numerous accidents since the project began last year.

Derrick Kellier, Minister of Labour and Social Security, gave the instructions following a tour of the work site yesterday during which he held meetings with the contractors and officials of the St. Ann Parish Council. The minister said that if everything is in place by next Tuesday, the work would be allowed to resume.

Structure checks

"First of all we have agreed that all structure checks will be done by the in-house engineer," Mr. Kellier said. "And before any further concrete work, in respect of the pouring of slabs can take place on the site, the superintendent of the St. Ann Parish Council must have the final signing off."

The Labour Minister said this would ensure that whenever casting was to be done, the workers on the site could be assured that every step had been taken to ensure their safety.

During the meeting, it was also decided that the area in which the accident took place on Wednesday would be properly secured to allow the investigation to take place without any hindrance.

Mr. Kellier said no workers would be allowed in that area and that no material will be removed until the investigation is concluded.

The Labour Minister said a special team comprising representatives of the St. Ann Parish Council, the Occupational Safety and Health Division of his ministry, and independent representatives nominated by the developers will be conducting the investigation. He said that, as soon as the team is in place he will expect a report within 14 days.

Yesterday the Pinero Group, the Spanish developers overseeing the construction of the hotel, said it would release a statement once investigations into the incident are completed. Ricardo Ardito, a spokesperson for the Pinero Group, told The Gleaner that "until the investigations are complete I cannot make a comment."

Mr. Ardito said that he expects a statement to be released within 24 hours.

Source

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Check with the Ministry of Labour

[/ QUOTE ]
That's funny! Have you ever been to their site? I'll keep looking though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly why I wanted you to check!
That is why we have to rely on what little is reported and by the grape vine.

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Check with the Ministry of Labour

[/ QUOTE ]
That's funny! Have you ever been to their site? I'll keep looking though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly why I wanted you to check!
That is why we have to rely on what little is reported and by the grape vine.

[/ QUOTE ]
Not even the trade unions have a little information.

[Gen]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

Mon May 22, 2006
Halting of Bahia Principe hotel construction could hurt economy, says JCC

The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) is warning that the recent court ruling regarding the Bahia Principe hotel being built in Runaway Bay, St. Ann could cause the country to lose millions of dollars in investment that it so desperately needs.
The Chamber says it is alarmed and concerned that a judge found it necessary to set aside a licence which was granted by the National Resource Conservation Authority and the National Environment and Planning Agency.

According to the Chamber, it is in sympathy with the Spanish investors—the Pinero group—which has already spent more than US $50 million to construct the property.

The Chamber notes that having invested in good faith the Pinero group now faces the prospect of having its project halted through no fault of its own.

The JCC warns that this development could hurt Jamaica as investments will only flourish in an environment characterised by predictability.

Last Tuesday High Court Judge Mr. Justice Brian Sykes put the brakes on the construction of the Bahia Principe Hotel.

In its ruling, Mr. Justice Sykes agreed with claims that an environmental permit was improperly given to the Pinero Group to okay the construction of the hotel.

However the judge stayed his judgement for 21 days to give lawyers representing the state agencies time to appeal.


http://www.radiojamaica.com/news/sto...mp;story=24908

[Gen]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

extreme case of almshouse [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[ QUOTE ]
extreme case of almshouse [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Major AH.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

[ QUOTE ]
Not even the trade unions have a little information.

[/ QUOTE ]
I am sure the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions will have some info, the Bustamante Trade Union or at least the JLP /Ruddy Spencer's Office.

Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions
1a Hope Boulevard
Kingston 6 Jamaica
Tel: (876) 977-3545 / 977-5170
Fax: (876) 977-4575
E-mail: [email protected]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....


Fri Aug 4, 2006
JLP urges government to ensure developers follow safety standards


The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is cautioning government to ensure safety is not sacrificed for speed on some of the large construction sites across the country.

JLP spokesman on construction Dr. Horace Chang, made these comments following a tour of the accident site at the Bahia Principe hotel in St. Ann Friday morning.

A worker was killed and several others injured during a collapse of a section of the building this week.

Dr. Chang, who was accompanied on the tour by the party's labour spokesman, Ruddy Spencer, said that government must commit to ensuring that developers observe all safety standards.

He said there is a concern that some of these developers are allowed to operate with very few restrictions as they rush to meet deadlines.

He added that the Ministries of Local Government and Labour, as well as parish councils and planning authorities, must be vigilant in conducting inspections of these types of construction sites.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chang says he was informed that an expatriate engineer who was severely injured in the collapse of the 14 foot concrete platform, has been air-lifted back to his home country, the Dominican Republic

JLP urges government to ensure developers follow safety standards

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

So workers complained about work conditions and pay, then their salary was delayed? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70456-eyebrows.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
Bahia, yes, but not at any cost, says PNP caretaker
By Carl Gilchrist Observer staff reporter
Monday, August 07, 2006


People's National Party (PNP) representative for North West St Ann, Dr Michael Whittingham, says while he welcomes the construction of the Bahia Principé hotel, which would boost the economic base of his constituency, such a development should not take place at all cost.

"I am 100 per cent in support of the development and I want this hotel to be done, I want it to be finished," Whittingham told the Observer. "I want it to provide the great economic base for the development of North West St Ann that it will provide once completed, but I don't believe it should be done at any cost."
The section of the Bahia Principé hotel at Pear Tree Bottom in St Ann that collapsed last Wednesday killing a worker.

Whittingham was speaking against the background of the death of a worker, Linval Mitchell, after a section of the unfinished building collapsed on Wednesday. A total of 16 persons were injured during the accident, with three still in hospital.
The mishap was the second such incident at the hotel in three months and prompted a lock-down of the site by the St Ann Parish Council and an investigation by the labour ministry.

Yesterday, the state news agency, JIS News, said that the government should receive a detailed report on the accident in two weeks.
According to JIS News, the minister of information and development, Senator Colin Campbell, met yesterday morning at Jamaica House with representatives of the Pinero Group, builders of the 1,918-room hotel.

Campbell said he would be holding discussions with the ministers of labour & social security, and local government & environment to put in place a regime to ensure strict adherence to safety and health practices at all major project sites, and the rigid enforcement of these measures.

He said that Pinero Group representatives have met with Mitchell's family and "comprehensive arrangements" have been made for the welfare of those affected, including aftercare through the company's nursing station.

In addition to insurance compensation for the workers and their families, "compassionate resources" have been made available for them and the developers would also cover Mitchell's funeral expenses, Campbell said.
The PNP's Whittingham, while offering condolences to the family of the victims, described the incident as unfortunate and said many accidents are preventable.

"With proper monitoring, better observation, better surveillance and better preparation, the accident. could have been avoided," said Whittingham.

He also said that complaints by workers about poor working conditions at the site are being addressed to some extent.
"There are aspects of working conditions that need to be seriously addressed," said Whittingham. ".following the disturbance some weeks ago .some matters have been brought to the surface and those matters, I believe, are being addressed and corrective measures taken."

Whittingham was referring to a riot that broke out on July 10 at the site after monthly-paid workers learnt that their pay, which they had previously complained was too small, would have been delayed for a week. During the riot, three persons were shot and injured.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Blackstar*]

Re: Bahia 3 riots, 2 collapse, one murder, etc. etc....

Work resumes at Bahia Principe
Friday, August 11, 2006


OCHO RIOS, St Ann - Approximately 800 workers turned out yesterday to resume work, on a phased basis, at the site of the Bahia Principe Hotel at Pear Tree Bottom, St Ann, after a meeting at the Ministry of Land and Environment Wednesday paved the way for the restart of construction.

Work has, however, been restricted to the lower areas of the site to include tiling and will only resume on the upper floors after wooden props and scaffolding are replaced by metal ones.

Full resumption in areas, other than the section that collapsed last week, will also await final clearance by superintendent of works at the St Ann Parish Council, Arthur HoSang. More...

[Blackstar*]

Fiya bun at Bahía Principe Hotel

Fire at Bahía Principe Hotel
published: Friday | August 18, 2006


Fire yesterday evening engulfed a section of the Bahía Principe Hotel at Pear Tree Bottom in St. Ann. There were no early reports of injury.

Reports are that the fire started around 6:00 p.m. and was confined to a store room in the hotel. Four fire trucks from the St. Ann's Bay, Brown's Town and Ocho Rios fire stations contained the fire.

Member of Parliament for the area, Shahine Robinson, who was at the scene last night, said she was shocked on hearing the news.

"I was just taken aback. When I got the news I said "Again?". It just seems that this site is riddled with all sorts of bad happenings," she said.

Section collapsed
More than two weeks ago the site was ordered closed by Derrick Kellier, Minister of Labour and Social Security, after a section of one of the buildings collapsed killing one worker and injuring 15 others.

Work on the site subsequently resumed, following a meeting involving Local Government and Environment Minister Dean Peart, officials of the St. Ann Parish Council and representatives of the Piñero Group, the developers of the project.

- Devon Evans

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Fiya bun at Bahía Principe Hotel


Reports chasing reports.
The place salt....

Sat Aug 19, 2006
Report on Bahia Principe accident to be submitted next week



A report on the findings of an investigation into last month's fatal accident at the construction site of the Bahia Principe Hotel is expected to be submitted to Environment Minister Dean Peart early next week.

That is the word from Chairman of the St. Ann Parish Council, Delroy Giscombe.

He says the team which was conducting the probe was expected to complete its work Friday and compile its findings.

The area where the accident occurred was sealed off for 14 days to facilitate an independent probe into the accident which left one worker dead and several others injured.

Report on Bahia Principe accident to be submitted next week