Singapore ― Despite concerns being raised by workers involved in the Tuas plant explosion earlier this year, their boss overlooked the reports, thinking it was “a small thing.”
On Feb 24, 2021, three workers died, and five others were left in critical condition after an explosion at Stars Engrg, a contractor working with fire protection systems located in Tuas.
The blast resulted in 65 others in the vicinity being evacuated, while those living in dormitories affected by the blaze were rehoused.
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), it was difficult to identify the three dead workers due to the extensive burns they sustained.
On Thursday (Sept 23), Chua Xing Da, the sole director and shareholder of Stars Engrg, testified to an inquiry committee investigating the explosion.
The three employees that passed away were Anisuzzaman Md, 29, Subbaiyan Marimuthu, 38, and Shohel Md, 23.
The State Courts heard that Marimuthu had raised concerns to Mr Chua about the state of their machine used to mix their product.
The machine was purchased through Alibaba and installed at the workshop in June last year, reported Straits Times.
Nine heaters were used around the machine for it to operate.
However, when used last year in August, a heater emitted spark and smoke.
More instances of smoke emission were reported on Aug 28 and Sept 21.
On Sept 28, workers found a leak at the corner of the machine.
Multiple incidents were reported to Mr Chua, although the leak was not dealt with immediately.
Workers informed their boss once more on Oct 12, noting that the leak grew.
“I thought this was a small thing,” testified Mr Chua, adding he did not consider examining the cause of the leak when it was reported.
Instead, he advised the workers to repair the machine through welding.
Thinking that Stars Engrg had “experience in big motors and hydraulic machinery,” Mr Chua thought he had adequate expertise to operate the machine.
“I would not have been the person carrying out the repairs, as I had many things to do as the director of Stars,” said Mr Chua to the committee, adding he supervised the repairs in person or through calls and messages.
On Jan 8, 2021, the machine began emitting smoke again, followed by a fire breaking out at the corner of the machine on Feb 12.
Mr Marimuthu then raised concerns that the machine was dangerous, yet Mr Chua messaged him saying, “Actually, this fire not come from the machine… U thinking the machine very dangerous but actually no.”
Another fire broke out on Feb 24 and was eventually put out by workers.
The court heard that Mr Marimuthu had contacted Mr Chua four times between 10 am and 10:15 am.
The boss told Mr Marimuthu to drain the machine’s oil and wait for him to arrive at the workshop. He told the committee that he did not instruct them to continue working with the machine.
At about 11:15 am, Mr Marimuthu sent the company’s engineer, Mr Lwin Moe Tun a photo of the machine’s damaged heater.
The explosion happened less than 10 minutes later.
The blast ripped a large hole in the wall near the machine, causing window panels to shatter and the rear wall of the building to collapse.
It was reported that Mr Marimuthu, along with his seven colleagues, was conveyed to the hospital, where he, Mr Anis and Mr Shohel died shortly after.
Shocked by the incident, the company engineer wanted to delete the messages and photo of the damaged heater from Mr Marimuthu, to which Mr Chua said “ok”.
Mr Lwin Moe Tun also deleted the conversation on Mr Marimuthu’s phone before it was passed on to the police.
Police forensics still managed to retrieve the photo, reported ST.
“My thinking is that it’s like an oil fryer with everything built-in, and you don’t have to monitor the oil temperature,” said Mr Chua, describing the machine to the inquiry committee.
The machine may not have been operated as intended by the manufacturer, noted statements from the workers and Mr Chua.
He will continue to testify on Friday (Sept 24), the first tranche of hearings lasting until Oct 8, while the second tranche is scheduled to happen on Nov 15 to 19.
Witnesses expected to present their statements include other injured workers and investigators from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and MOM. /TISG
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