An industrial accident at a construction site in Arima on May 25, has claimed the life of a second man.
Clarence Diaz died whilst warded in the Intensive Care Unit at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope on June 5 – after spending 11 days fighting for his life.
Diaz’s friend and workmate Jefferson Joseph, died after he was crushed by a steel beam which collapsed on them as they stood at the top of two heights of scaffolding, holding aloft a steel beam which was being welded at the time.
Joseph, 47, of Sieunarine Trace, Kelly Village, Caroni – died around 2 pm on May 25, at the construction site in Tumpuna Gardens, Tumpuna Road, Arima.
Diaz, of Las Lomas Number One, suffered multiple life-threatening injuries and had been warded in a critical condition at hospital since.
Reports indicate Joseph and Diaz were not wearing any protective or safety equipment when the incident occurred.
Diaz’s relatives said contrary to initial reports which claimed he had only suffered an injured elbow, he had in fact sustained extensive head injuries which he never recovered from.
Claiming this was the second such type of incident to occur within the last three years at the unregistered company which is based in Las Lomas – one man who previously worked for the outfit said, “Nobody wears safety gears at any of the sites.”
Having left the privately owned operation several years ago, he speculated that the owner had continued to ignore health and safety protocols which had now led to two more men dying in the process.
He urged investigators to clamp down on the owner as he demanded accountability as he lamented, “People dying and he getting away with it for too long… in order to cut back and save a dollar.”