The lack of sufficient measures led to a flash fire at the facility
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has fined a waste management company $230,000 for unsafe work practices that led to a fire.
Although all workers were safely evacuated, ECO Special Waste Management was found guilty of violating the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
According to MOM’s investigations, ECO had failed to take “reasonably practicable measures” to ensure the safety and health of its employees at the facility.
Investigations revealed that ECO failed to conduct a risk assessment to ascertain the suitability of storing highly flammable liquid at the facility.
The company also failed to ensure that its workers adhered to safe operating procedures for dealing with hazardous products.The lack of strict safety procedures did not just led to the start of the fire, it also fuelled its spread.
On February 23, 2017, attempts by workers to extinguish the flash fire failed. The localised fire then quickly spread into a site-wide fire due to the presence of other flammable solvents. While no worker was injured, the hazardous waste treatment facility was badly damaged.
“Companies in hazardous waste treatment business must ensure that a comprehensive risk assessment of their work processes is conducted and all necessary risk control measures are implemented,” said Er. Go Heng Huat, MOM’s Director of the Major Hazards Department.
“They also have the duty to ensure that workers understand and adhere to safe operating procedures at all times. MOM will not hesitate to prosecute companies that disregard hazards at the workplaces and contravene safety regulations.”
