SINGAPORE: Two PUB subcontractors who inhaled hydrogen sulphide gas while carrying out tank cleaning works at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks remain in intensive care, the employer of one of the workers said on Monday (May 27).
Three workers inhaled the gas last Thursday and were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital after falling unconscious.
One of them, a 40-year-old Indian national who was employed as a cleaning operations manager by Supersonic Maintenance Services, died later that day.
The other two workers, both Malaysians, are still in intensive care, said Stargroup Est, which employs one of the workers.
In response to CNA's queries, the company said: "Their next-of-kin were informed on the day of the incident and have since visited them in the hospital.
"Our company has informed their next-of-kin that we will provide free hotel accommodation for them if they wish to stay in Singapore. This will make these hospital visits easier for them."
It added that the injured workers will continue to receive their usual pay.
The other worker in the intensive care unit is also employed by Supersonic Maintenance Services. CNA has contacted the firm for more information.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the workers had inhaled hydrogen sulphide – a gas produced from sludge which is a by-product of the water treatment process, said PUB last week.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a hazardous material (HazMat) incident at 11.25am at the waterworks.
Firefighters and HazMat specialists entered the area and identified the gas.
Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas with a potent, unpleasant odour similar to that of rotten eggs or sewage. It is highly toxic and flammable.
Two water jets were used to disperse the vapour, said SCDF. This went on for an hour before HazMat specialists determined that there was no longer any hydrogen sulphide on the premises.
PUB expressed its condolences and said it was in touch with the contractors and would render support to the workers' families.
As a precaution, the national water agency "has called a safety timeout for similar operations in confined spaces and is reviewing the associated safety measures".
PUB told CNA that the safety timeout will apply to all its facilities and will be lifted when it is satisfied that the necessary safety measures are in place.
The Manpower Ministry (MOM) said it is investigating the incident and has instructed PUB to stop all tank cleaning works.
The ministry added: "As a general safety measure, proper ventilation must be provided to prevent accumulation of toxic vapours.
"Workers must also be protected from excessive exposure to toxic vapours by equipping them with gas monitoring devices, and the appropriate personal protective equipment such as respirator mask and breathing apparatus."
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Three workers inhaled the gas last Thursday and were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital after falling unconscious.
One of them, a 40-year-old Indian national who was employed as a cleaning operations manager by Supersonic Maintenance Services, died later that day.
The other two workers, both Malaysians, are still in intensive care, said Stargroup Est, which employs one of the workers.
In response to CNA's queries, the company said: "Their next-of-kin were informed on the day of the incident and have since visited them in the hospital.
"Our company has informed their next-of-kin that we will provide free hotel accommodation for them if they wish to stay in Singapore. This will make these hospital visits easier for them."
It added that the injured workers will continue to receive their usual pay.
The other worker in the intensive care unit is also employed by Supersonic Maintenance Services. CNA has contacted the firm for more information.
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TOXIC GAS
Preliminary investigations indicated that the workers had inhaled hydrogen sulphide – a gas produced from sludge which is a by-product of the water treatment process, said PUB last week.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a hazardous material (HazMat) incident at 11.25am at the waterworks.
Firefighters and HazMat specialists entered the area and identified the gas.
Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas with a potent, unpleasant odour similar to that of rotten eggs or sewage. It is highly toxic and flammable.
Two water jets were used to disperse the vapour, said SCDF. This went on for an hour before HazMat specialists determined that there was no longer any hydrogen sulphide on the premises.
PUB expressed its condolences and said it was in touch with the contractors and would render support to the workers' families.
As a precaution, the national water agency "has called a safety timeout for similar operations in confined spaces and is reviewing the associated safety measures".
PUB told CNA that the safety timeout will apply to all its facilities and will be lifted when it is satisfied that the necessary safety measures are in place.
The Manpower Ministry (MOM) said it is investigating the incident and has instructed PUB to stop all tank cleaning works.
The ministry added: "As a general safety measure, proper ventilation must be provided to prevent accumulation of toxic vapours.
"Workers must also be protected from excessive exposure to toxic vapours by equipping them with gas monitoring devices, and the appropriate personal protective equipment such as respirator mask and breathing apparatus."
Continue reading...