Singapore oil worker jailed for toxic gas leak that killed Indian

A senior technician at the Singapore Refining Company (SRC) has been sentenced to four months in jail for negligence related to a fatal gas leak in 2020, in which an Indian national was killed.

Leck Ching Hwa, 47, admitted he was negligent in his duties at the oil refinery plant on Jurong Island, according to The Straits Times.

The gas leak incident took place on September 17, 2020, and resulted in the death of a 30-year-old Indian national, Palanivel Pandidurai.

Palanivel and his co-worker, Periyasamy Kolanginathan, were both working for a contractor firm called PEC at the refinery when they were exposed to toxic hydrogen sulphide gas (colourless poisonous gas that has a foul odour similar to that of rotten eggs).

This gas is commonly found in the production of crude oil and natural gas.

The gas leak caused them to collapse, and a third worker, Narayanan Murasoli, also collapsed while attempting to help them.

Court documents did not disclose details about their nationalities and ages, according to a report by The Straits Times on Monday.

All three workers were rushed to the hospital.

Periyasamy and Narayanan sustained injuries but survived.

Palanivel, however, suffered chemical burns on a significant portion of his body and later developed multiple organ failure. He passed away five days later, on September 22, 2020.

According to Ministry of Manpower prosecuting officer Melvyn Low, Palanivel had burns covering 40% of his body.

Periyasamy suffered burns on a smaller area (9.5%) and was released from the hospital after a few days.

Narayanan had chemical injuries to his eyes and abrasions but was discharged within three days.