4 laborers succumb to inhalation of harmful gas in the tea estate of Moulvibazar
In a tragic incident that unfolded on Wednesday night in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar district, four workers lost their lives due to toxic gas inhalation at the Harinchhara Tea Garden. The deceased workers were identified as Rana Nayek, 17, Shrabon Nayek, 19, Krishna Rabidas, 20, and Nipen Fulmali, 27.
Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sreemangal Police Station, provided information about the incident. Another worker, Rabi Banarjee, 20, was initially given primary treatment and later shifted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for advanced care.
In a critical condition, one worker was rescued and taken to Moulvibazar 250-bed hospital, where doctors later declared four of the rescued workers dead. Dr Pronoy Kanti Das, superintendent of the hospital, confirmed that the four deceased workers appeared to have died from toxic gas poisoning while working inside the septic tank.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the hazardous environment that workers face when dealing with septic tanks. These confined spaces involve toxic gases like methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia, making safety regulations and precautions essential.
To prevent such incidents, strict safety regulations and precautions must be followed. Workers must obtain a confined space entry permit, undergo training on confined space risks, and be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE). Gas testing before and during entry, proper ventilation, continuous communication, and an emergency rescue plan are also crucial.
Employers and workers must rigorously implement a comprehensive safety program tailored to septic tank hazards. Regular maintenance and pumping, compliance with local and OSHA regulations, and avoiding unsafe practices are also key to minimizing risks.
Legal steps will be taken by the police in response to the incident. The tragic loss of life underscores the need for stricter adherence to safety protocols in the tea garden industry to protect workers from such preventable accidents.
- To address the issue of workplace-wellness and mental-health concerns, it's crucial that tea gardens like Harinchhara implement stricter safety protocols in their health-and-wellness programs, especially when dealing with potentially hazardous areas like septic tanks.
- In light of the recent accidents, such as fires, incidents of toxic gas inhalation, and deaths at the Harinchhara Tea Garden, there should be efforts to enhance general-news coverage, in order to increase public awareness and foster wider discussions on workplace safety.
- As a means to improve overall workplace safety and minimize accidents like the one that occurred at the Harinchhara Tea Garden, it's essential to advocate for science-based regulations that set clear guidelines for confined space safety, as well as provide awareness and training to combat the risks associated with hazardous work environments.
