24-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 40-year-old worker tragically died after inhaling a toxic gas while performing routine tank cleaning at PUB’s Choa Chu Kang Waterworks on May 23. The deceased, an Indian national, was one of three men found unconscious at the plant around 11:15 AM.
All three workers were rushed to the hospital, but the Indian national succumbed to his injuries. The other two, Malaysian nationals aged 24 and 39, remain in the intensive care unit at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, according to a statement from PUB.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed that the deceased was a cleaning operations manager employed by Supersonic Maintenance Services. The older Malaysian also worked for Supersonic, while the younger Malaysian was employed by Stargroup Est.
MOM has launched an investigation and has ordered PUB to halt all tank cleaning operations. Initial findings suggest that the workers inhaled hydrogen sulphide, a gas produced from sludge, a by-product of the water treatment process. Routine cleaning at the plant occurs every three months.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the hazardous material incident at 51 Nanyang Drive at around 11:25 AM. Firefighters and hazmat specialists, equipped with personal protective equipment, used water jets to disperse the poisonous gas. After about an hour, the gas was no longer detectable. CPR was administered to one of the workers en route to the hospital.
The police have ruled out foul play. According to the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas with a rotten egg odour. Exposure can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and can lead to severe health issues, including coma.
NIOSH highlights that workers in wastewater treatment are particularly at risk. MOM has emphasized the necessity of proper ventilation to prevent the accumulation of toxic vapours and the importance of equipping workers with gas monitoring devices and personal protective equipment.
Choa Chu Kang Waterworks is crucial for Singapore’s water security, supplying 80 million gallons of safe drinking water daily to the western part of the island. Upgrading work at the plant began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2026.
In response to the incident, PUB has called a safety time-out for similar operations in confined spaces and is reviewing all related safety measures. The agency stressed its commitment to safety and health across its workplaces and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
PUB expressed condolences to the family of the deceased worker and assured that it is providing support to the families affected by the incident. The agency noted that this is the first such incident to occur at the facility.
