Incident Overview
A senior operations technician at the Singapore Refining Company has been sentenced to jail for his role in directing foreign workers to work during a toxic gas release incident that resulted in the death of an Indian national in September 2020. Leck Ching Hwa, the senior operations technician at the time of the incident, admitted to negligence at the oil refinery plant on Merlimau Road on Jurong Island, where the incident occurred.
Victim’s Identity
The victim, Palanivel Pandidurai, a 30-year-old Indian national, succumbed to multi-organ failure caused by chemical burns from the toxic gas exposure. He passed away five days after the incident. Palanivel, along with another worker, Periyasamy Kolanginathan, collapsed after being exposed to hydrogen sulphide gas. Their colleague, Narayanan Murasoli, also collapsed while attempting to rescue them.
Severity of Injuries
Palanivel suffered extensive chemical burns on 40% of his body surface area, leading to multiple organ failure and eventual death. Periyasamy sustained superficial partial thickness burns, while Narayanan suffered chemical injuries to his eyes and abrasions.
Nature of Hydrogen Sulphide Gas
Hydrogen sulphide is a colorless poisonous gas with a foul odor, commonly found in the production of crude oil and natural gas. It is highly toxic, flammable, and volatile. Leck Ching Hwa was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment for his negligence in directing workers during the toxic gas release incident. The Ministry of Manpower prosecuted the case, highlighting the severity of the consequences.
Victim’s Medical Condition
Palanivel’s medical condition deteriorated rapidly due to the severity of his injuries, eventually leading to his demise. His colleagues also suffered significant injuries but survived after receiving medical treatment. The incident underscores the importance of safety protocols and adherence to regulations in industrial workplaces to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The sentencing of the senior technician serves as a reminder of the accountability of individuals in ensuring workplace safety and the need for stringent measures to prevent accidents resulting in loss of life.
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