Longshore Worker Fatally Crushed By Bagged Cargo Collapsing Out Of Stow [Conakry, Guinea – 03 March 2019]
![Longshore Worker Fatally Crushed By Bagged Cargo Collapsing Out Of Stow [Conakry, Guinea – 03 March 2019]](https://blueoceana.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Conakry-Port-copy-612x200.jpg)
With great regret, we have learned from a friend in West Africa that a longshore worker at the Guinean Capitol port of Conakry sustained fatal internal injuries during discharge operations being conducted in a cargo hold aboard M/V MELINA (see photo below) on 03 March 2019 (approx 2:00 PM local time).
From what we understand, a significantly large stow consisting of 50 kg (110.2 lb) bags of sugar collapsed upon the worker causing severe internal trauma. With some difficulty, he was evacuated to a local hospital and was operated on. He did not survive.
As a casual [non-permanent] longshore worker, we understand that he did not enjoy the level of benefits which would have included prompt and effective medical attention to his injuries. Instead, we understand that he was allowed to languish in a critical state until the following day, whereupon timely surgical intervention was just a memory. If true, that circumstance cries out for attention.
Marine cargo handling work at this facility is conducted by Bolloré (Africa) Transport and Logistics.
From a national perspective, occupational safety & health laws and regulations appear nearly non-existent at Guinea, as this ILO profile suggests:
https://www.ilo.org/safework/countries/africa/guinea/lang–en/index.htm
We grieve with the friends, family and colleagues of longshoreman Djibril Sylla, and hope that there will come a time wherein national occupational safety & health laws and regulations have their proper place in Guinea and that they are observed assiduously.
