Labor Ministry probes farmhand's death by lightning

Uruguay's Ministry of Labor and Social Security has launched an investigation into the death of a 57-year-old farmhand in Cerro Largo department. The worker was fatally struck by lightning during severe storms and high winds that swept across the country last Thursday.

“

The decree establishes that activities must be suspended in cases of weather conditions like Thursday's, to avoid endangering the worker's health and physical integrity.

Luis Puig, the General Inspector of Labor, confirmed that the investigation will focus on compliance with decree 38/022, which mandates the suspension of activities during adverse weather to protect workers' health and safety. Puig emphasized that the regulations are clear and must be respected, highlighting the employer's responsibility to ensure work is halted under such dangerous conditions.

“

We are going to gather all the information, and if we conclude that the worker's life was put at risk, we will notify the Prosecutor's Office to deepen the investigation.

The ministry plans to gather information and interview witnesses to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death. If the investigation concludes that the worker's life was put at risk, the case will be referred to the Prosecutor's Office for further inquiry. Puig stressed that such incidents cannot be attributed to fate but rather to poor work organization, particularly when workers are asked to perform tasks like herding cattle during thunderstorms.

“

The regulations on this matter are clear and there is a decree that establishes the protocols to follow. They are from the previous period, they are very clear and that regulation must be respected.

This incident occurred amidst widespread disruption caused by the storm, which left thousands without electricity, felled trees, and damaged roofs. The extreme weather prompted the government to issue a red alert for the affected regions.

“

There must be a process of awareness that there must be a clear disposition from the employer, that under these circumstances tasks cannot be carried out.