Offshore worker safety should be treated as an investment that delivers measurable returns rather than a cost. This is according to Yolander Sammy, Director of Legal and Compliance at MODEC Guyana, who urged oil and gas companies to prioritize both operations and the psychosocial health of offshore workers.
Sammy made these remarks on April 28 at the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning’s Occupational Safety and Health Symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where government, industry and labour stakeholders discussed workplace safety and psychosocial risks across sectors, including oil and gas.
“Fostering a positive psychosocial environment should never be seen as an expense, but rather it is an investment with clear returns in productivity, retention, and reputation. To our partners in government and civil society, collaboration is our strongest lever for change,” Sammy said.
“Together, we can build workplaces in Guyana where safety is comprehensive, dignity is non-negotiable, and well-being drives performance,” she added.
The symposium took place as offshore operations continue to expand in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, where structured safety systems are required to manage high-risk environments.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, said prevention must go beyond regulatory frameworks and rely on practical action across workplaces.
“Prevention cannot be achieved by policy alone. It must be driven by innovation, informed by evidence, and supported by practical solutions that enable workplaces to identify risks, manage hazards effectively, and create environments where workers feel safe, protected, and supported,” the Minister said.
“This means addressing not only unsafe conditions but also the factors that shape how people experience work, stress, excessive workloads, poor supervision, harassment, and job insecurity,” he added.
Griffith reported that between 2020 and 2025, 6,186 inspections were conducted across sectors, reaching more than 27,000 workers. During that period, workplace fatalities fell by 12.78%, while non-fatal incidents declined by nearly 50%.
He cautioned, however, that recent figures point to increased risk. From January to April 2026, 13 fatalities and 64 non-fatal incidents were recorded.
“This increase is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for stricter compliance with health and safety protocols,” Griffith said.
While none of the incidents was specific to the oil and gas industry, the Minister said the government’s “vision is clear: a Guyana where no worker loses their life, health or dignity because of their work, and where workplaces are safe, inclusive and supportive”.
MODEC currently holds engineering, procurement, construction and installation contracts for FPSOs being built for ExxonMobil Guyana’s Uaru and Hammerhead developments.
Guyana fabricators support Hammerhead FPSO with 100 ton steel output | OilNOW Currently, ExxonMobil produces oil at more than 900,000 barrels per day (b/d). ExxonMobil operates the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess holds a 30% interest and CNOOC holds 25%.
