Singapore Technician “Leck Ching Hwa” Sentenced to jail for
Fatal Toxic Gas Incident

Los Angeles/Apr 16, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

Senior Operations Technician Negligence Leads to Fatal Toxic Gas Incident in Singapore

In a tragic incident at the Singapore Refining Company's oil refinery plant on September 17, 2020, toxic gas exposure resulted in the death of Mr. Palanivel Pandidurai, an Indian national aged 30, and serious injuries to two others, Mr. Periyasamy Kolanginathan and Mr. Narayanan Murasoli. The incident occurred when the trio, employed by PEC, a firm specializing in maintenance services for the petrochemical industry, were exposed to hydrogen sulphide gas due to a sudden release during their work.

Mr. Leck Ching Hwa, then a senior operations technician at the plant, was held responsible for the negligence that led to the tragedy. Despite being aware of the dangers of hydrogen sulphide gas, Mr. Leck instructed the PEC workers to commence work on the pipes without ensuring adequate safety measures.

The consequences were severe. Mr. Palanivel suffered chemical burns covering 40% of his body surface area, leading to multi-organ failure and his eventual passing five days later. Mr. Periyasamy sustained significant superficial burns to various parts of his body, while Mr. Narayanan suffered chemical injuries to his eyes and abrasions to his back, among other areas.

The Ministry of Manpower prosecuted Mr. Leck, highlighting the grievous consequences of his negligence. Mr. Leck admitted to his wrongdoing and was sentenced to four months in jail on April 12, 2024. The incident underscores the critical importance of stringent safety protocols, particularly in industries dealing with hazardous materials like hydrogen sulphide gas.