@noobmaster

Singapore government so nice - protecting Sinkie citizens by having foreign nationals handle bulk of the hazardous stuff    RIP, and hope the others recover  

Chio but no thanks

SINGAPORE - A 40-year-old worker has died after inhaling a poisonous gas while carrying out routine tank cleaning at PUB’s Choa Chu Kang Waterworks on May 23. The worker was one of three men, aged between 24 and 40, who had collapsed and were found unconscious at the plant at around 11.15am. All three were taken to hospital unconscious, where the worker died. The two surviving workers are in the intensive care unit at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.   The workers are all foreign nationals. PUB, in a statement, said early investigations suggest that the workers had inhaled hydrogen sulphide – a gas produced from sludge, which is a by-product of the water treatment process.  Cleaning works are carried out at the plant routinely once every three months.     In response to queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a hazardous material (hazmat) incident at 51 Nanyang Drive at about 11.25am.     Firefighters and hazmat specialists in personal protective equipment used two water jets to disperse the poisonous gas. After about an hour of “vapour dispersion”, there was no more hydrogen sulphide detected in the plant, said SCDF. It added that cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, was performed on one of the workers on the way to hospital.   The police have ruled out foul play. Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas that gives off the odour of rotten eggs, said an entry on the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) website. Exposure to the gas can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system, and can lead to issues like falling into a coma. Workers in wastewater treatment industries are a group at risk, the Niosh website added. Choa Chu Kang Waterworks is a key plank in Singapore’s goal of achieving water security, and supplies 80 million gallons of safe drinking water to the western part of the island, said an environmental impact assessment published in 2022. The plant underwent construction works in 2022, which are slated to be completed by 2026.   PUB said it has called a safety timeout for similar operations in confined spaces and is reviewing the associated safety measures. “Safety and health at all our workplaces are of utmost importance to PUB. We will cooperate fully with the investigation,” said the national water agency. It expressed its condolences to the family of the worker who died and said it was in touch with its contractors and would provide support to the workers’ family members. Responding to queries, PUB said this is the first time such an incident has occurred, adding that more details will be released in due time. The Straits Times has contacted the Ministry of Manpower for more information.

http://www.newswire.lk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/442462724_430272896430986_3112419247619072267_n.jpg The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency announced the successful deployment of its first batch of candidates to Singapore, with 16 individuals chosen to serve as Auxiliary Police Officers. Auxiliary Police are security police employed by private companies in Singapore, supporting the country’s Police force. The Agency said that the milestone is a significant step towards providing excellent employment opportunities for talented Sri Lankan citizens abroad.     https://www.newswire.lk/2024/05/23/sri-lanka-sends-first-batch-of-auxiliary-police-officers-to-singapore/