Inhaling a dangerous gas while cleaning tanks at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks!! Two subcontractors are still in intensive care!!
Two subcontractors are still in intensive care after inhaling a dangerous gas while cleaning tanks at Choa Chu Kang Waterworks.
The incident happened on May 23, when three workers were exposed to hydrogen sulphide gas, causing them to lose consciousness.
Unfortunately, one of the workers, a 40-year-old Indian national who was a cleaning operations manager at Supersonic Maintenance Services died that same day.
The other two workers, both from Malaysia, are currently in intensive care.
Stargroup Est, the employer of one of these workers, has informed their families and is offering them free hotel stays in Singapore to make hospital visits easier.
The injured worker will keep receiving their normal pay during this time.
The gas they inhaled, hydrogen sulphide, is created from sludge during the water treatment process.
It is a very toxic and flammable gas that smells like rotten eggs.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force was called at 11.25am to handle the hazardous material incident.
They identified the gas and used water jets to disperse it, ensuring the area was safe after an hour.
PUB, the national water agency, has expressed its condolences to the died worker family and is providing support.
They have also stopped similar operations in confined spaces to review safety measures.
The Ministry of Manpower is investigating the incident and has instructed PUB to stop all tank cleaning activities.
MOM highlighted the importance of proper ventilation, gas monitoring devices, and protective gear like respirator masks and breathing apparatus to prevent such incidents in the future.