- Improper SCBA Mask Alteration Leads to Fatal Exposure.
- Pump Master Jailed After Unsafe Mask Modification Causes Death.
- Tanker Worker Suffocates in Naphtha Tank During Unsafe Cleaning Operation.
A 40-year-old crew member, Mr. Hoang Van Chau, tragically lost his life after collapsing inside a tank that had previously held naphtha gas. This unfortunate event occurred when he entered the confined space wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask that had been improperly modified, reports The Straits Times.
Unsafe Modifications Made to Safety Gear
Le Thanh Dung, 36, who was working as a pump master at the time, had altered two SCBA masks before Mr. Chau and his colleagues entered the tank. He connected the mask’s connector to a hose linked to an air bottle on the deck and secured it with a clamp to prevent any leaks. This modification was made because it was deemed “impractical” to wear the full SCBA due to the tight space on a staircase. However, this change rendered the masks unsafe for use.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Joseph Gwee pointed out that Dung was aware of the risks associated with the modified masks but proceeded with the alterations nonetheless. Dung ultimately pleaded guilty to a charge of performing a reckless act that endangered lives and received a sentence of three months and two weeks in jail.
Entry into a Non-Gas-Free Tank
On the day of the incident, around 2 PM, the vessel was anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage. Mr. Chau and three other crew members were tasked with cleaning some tanks that had not been declared gas-free.
DPP Gwee stated: “(Manh’s) role was to check for the oxygen level in the tanks before cleaning and perform the requisite safety checks before the tanks were cleaned by the crew.” “If the tank was not declared gas-free, the crew members should not have entered the tank.” Between 2 pm and 4 pm, the unsafe modifications were carried out by Dung under instructions from the chief officer.
Rescue and Ongoing Investigations
Mr. Chau lost consciousness while inside the tank and needed to be rescued. Sadly, he did not survive due to exposure to volatile hydrocarbons. Naphtha, which had been stored in the tank, is often used as a solvent or fuel. Being exposed to it can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Currently, two other individuals involved in this case – a 49-year-old captain and a 31-year-old chief officer – are facing ongoing legal proceedings. It’s important to note that all those involved, including the deceased, are of Vietnamese nationality.
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Source: The Straits Times
