By Chantalé Fletcher
A FIVE-member team have been selected to investigate an industrial tragedy last Friday claiming the lives of four men.
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young revealed the Cabinet’s decision at a post-cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The panel will investigate the incident that caused the deaths of four divers, Fyzal Kurban, Yusuf Henry, Kazim Ali jr and Rishi Nagassar in an underwater pipeline maintenance exercise on February 25.
Christopher Boodram was the only survivor.
Young expressed condolences on behalf of citizens and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to the families and friends of the men.
The panel has to prepare a report within 45 days after their appointment which should take place by next week.
The team will be chaired by attorney Shiv Sharma and will include Subsea Specialist Gregory Wilson, with over 20 years in the oil and gas Industry; two representatives from British Petroleum (BP) and Shell, but not limited to Trinidad and Tobago nationals; and former Energy Chamber chairman Eugene Tiah.
Young described BP and Shell’s role in the investigation as critical as they were experts within the field on a global scale.
He said, “They will also be supported by a Secretariat from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to provide them with secretarial services and a lawyer should there be a need for that.”
Young added that the chairman of the committee would be authorised to co-opt any additional members as required, but preferred the team remain limited to five and co-opt expertise in different areas to help the panel.
Their objectives include:
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Ascertain the scope of works by Paria for the exercise;
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Ascertain the proposed selection plan submitted by LMCS to conduct the works at the site;
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Examine policy, procedure and practices related to employees/organised labour for maintenance exercises;
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Identify the precise facts and circumstances which led up to and resulted in the loss of life;
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Examine all the decisions taken after it became clear that the five LMCS divers went missing;
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Investigate the nature, extent, application of any standing orders, policy considerations, legislation, or other instructions in dealing with the situation that gave rise to this incident;
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Identify whether Paria and LMCS employed sufficient safeguards and measures to ensure the safety of its contracted employees, property, and the prevention of the incident;
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Determine the adequacy and mechanical integrity of equipment utilised by LMCS;
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Determine the adequacy of LMCS’ plans which were utilised for the operation;
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Identify, whether by act or omission, any identified or unidentified party directly or indirectly caused loss of life; and
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Examine the role played by Paria and LMCS through its respective units, individually and collectively, in dealing with this incident.
