Workers who died after inhaling toxic gas did not wear respirators or follow safety protocol, inspector testifies

Mr Srinivasan Sivaraman and Mr Izzat Naqiuddin Dowod died in May 2024 after inhaling hydrogen sulphide, a by-product of the water treatment process.

An aerial shot of Choa Chu Kang Waterworks. (Photo: PUB website)

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SINGAPORE: Two workers who died after inhaling toxic gas entered an enclosed passage at PUB’s Choa Chu Kang Waterworks without respirators and without following safety protocol, the coroner’s court heard on Friday (Oct 2).

Mr Srinivasan Sivaraman and Mr Izzat Naqiuddin Dowod died in May 2024 after inhaling hydrogen sulphide, a by-product of the water treatment process. A third worker survived the incident. Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless, toxic gas that can be fatal at high concentrations.

Mr Muhd Hafidz, an inspector with the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) occupational safety and health division, testified in court on Friday that the workers did not ensure that at least one person remained outside the enclosed passage.

Unlike other workers who had entered the passage the day before to drain the tank, the three men did not wear respirators, which are designed to filter out toxic gases. His investigations also found that while there was a ventilator in the passage, it was not in operation at the time, he told the court.

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