3 years' ago accident!

NSL OilChem Services, boss fined for unsafe workplace leading to worker's death

Posted: 20 July 2010 2002 hrs

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1070488/1/.html

SINGAPORE: NSL OilChem Services Pte Ltd (NSL) and its general manager have been fined for failing to provide a safe workplace, resulting in the death of a worker. In the Subordinate Courts Tuesday, NSL was fined $80,000 and its general manager, Ong Beng Tit, was fined $15,000. The incident happened on 3 May 2007 at about 7am at a crude oil extraction plant in Tanjong Kling Road. The worker, who was employed as a marine trade worker by Prime Project Pte Ltd, was caught in a flash fire while walking out of the pump house, which was situated beside the tank farm area. The flash fire was caused when escaped flammable vapour from two storage tanks reached an oil lamp with a naked light on an altar near the tank farm area.

The flammable vapour had built up within the tank farm area because the surrounding metal hoarding, trees and fencing had acted as barriers to the dissipation of the flammable vapour by the wind. The worker suffered 70 per cent second-degree burns. He died in hospital on May 8. Investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showed that NSL had failed to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure that the workplace was safe and without risks. The flash point stated in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of recovered fuel oil was inconsistent with the actual properties of the contents in the two storage tanks. The design and layout of the tanks and farm area were inadequate to allow for the safe venting of the flammable vapour.

A damaged hole on the roof top of one of the storage tanks had allowed more flammable vapour to escape from the tank to the surrounding environment. An oil lamp with a naked light on an altar was found near the tank farm area. MOM's director of Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate Silas Sng said: "The flash fire could have been prevented if the company had taken the necessary safety measures, such as ensuring that there was no naked flame near the tank farm or repairing the hole on the rooftop of the tank. "The accident was all the more regrettable that the general manager of the company failed to rectify the inadequacies despite having the opportunity to do so." Mr Sng said the fines meted out by the court serve to remind all stakeholders that each of them has a role and responsibility to play to ensure workplace safety and health, and to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives.

What a day

Was stressing at why they insisted on building the method up, I finally completed the translation n had my chemicals checked. Then realize a couple of chemical in urge to purchase and an item deemed to be obsolete in the market due to it's carcinogenic nature and ozone killer. Simply rushing like a mad dog n stressed out to get the procedure translated. Internet power is really v. Strong nowadays. You can google out simply anything and everything! Amazed by the translating tools! Yeah.

Next of what I had dilated, I discussed w my boss and they had decided to send to 3rd party which really answered my calls. Not easy to implement as there's some parts to be cautious and not easy it seems as well. Think not v. Courageous as compared to the past me. Is it a sign of old age or I changed to a worse, simply puzzled me. Sadded.

Rush rush and it's Friday!

Month end reporting and troubleshooting chemical analysis deemed not to be so low quality. Argh what happen really bewildered me. Dropouts were found, I explained to my engineer and yet I given them a v. Result previously. Hope they won't kill me. Now rushing another set and realize I had missed out 1 sample. To continue next Monday. Wish I m smarter. Memory failing kills me. Sad.

I am going mad!

Mum just quarrelled again with me. Last Saturday, sis and I had an argument with her. She started picking up all the past things and then, 3 of us started arguing. After that Sunday, before I leave Singapore to Ipoh for Audit, mum came in and started arguing again. Told her 101 times already to put down the past. Why she so grudging about it. Had been so long at least 20 odd years already.

Just now, I was playing guitar after cooping in the room for hours, to avoid another round of arguments again, yet while I was playing my guitar happily, she started asking me to get sis back and she wanted to reprimand her on what she said last saturday. I started another round of arguing with her. Why she couldn't think straight. Thinking of what had past doesn't serve any good. In anger, I told her if she like that, I had no choice but to move out. She keep thinking I will move to cousin's house, having so many grudges, I simply cannot tolerate anymore. I reasoned out what had past had past. If past can earn money, I don't mind, but no. Keep thinking will just deepen the wounds and make oneself more miserable than ever. Can't understand her at all. She addressed that she went to buy some food, end up have to take v. long time just to reach. She want fresh. I asked her to get bro to buy back, she said he took v. long to get back. Everything she don't dare to trouble brother which I simply cant understand. Mum is not mine alone ok. And i am the youngest.

I really cannot take her mental torture already. She is getting me crazy and I really can get mad if she still continue all her nonsense. Someone pls help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took near to 2 hours before finish the arguements and I think, she gonna hate me to core. I don't care and I don;t want to give the damn. Why quarrel and quarrel. I just don't understand. Sucks lah!

Toto

Today a pretty tired day bcos my colleagues and I are doing a thorough spring cleaning. Leaving me a lethagic body, just bcos big boss complaint abt an extra room that goes. Complaint n we suffer! Damn. Cost saving another kuku act. I m bored by them. Buy things all restricted! Kns! Boiling, bodyache, frustrations and endless nonsenses! Life's getting harder!

Going IT show!

Today my boss walked to the lab and we had an argument over a issue where I felt it was so redundant. I was just raising my voice for her voice was louder. And somehow that problem shd lie with other dept and not us. But my colleagues felt we r had a fierce argument. Well, she still take in our point of view where the traceability start at other dept. Phew, else it would be another hassle out of our hectic schedule. I felt quality time is meant for necesary things, not rubbish! Yeah. End up, we talked 1 full hr and I had slight sore throat, talk too much I suppose?! Meeting SIS n babe to IT show. What shd I buy, hmmmmm.

Going IT show!

Today my boss walked to the lab and we had an argument over a issue where I felt it was so redundant. I was just raising my voice for her voice was louder. And somehow that problem shd lie with other dept and not us. But my colleagues felt we r had a fierce argument. Well, she still take in our point of view where the traceability start at other dept. Phew, else it would be another hassle out of our hectic schedule. I felt quality time is meant for necesary things, not rubbish! Yeah. End up, we talked 1 full hr and I had slight sore throat, talk too much I suppose?! Meeting SIS n babe to IT show. What shd I buy, hmmmmm.

It's Friday n IT show

Wao. Friday stepped in. I almost overslept thanks to my failing alarm clock! Argh! The news of Jack Neo was filling in the air for these couple of days so I suppose a lot of kapos will flush to the theatre after his promo cum scandel flood in all medias. I am not after that, I am more interested with IT show n going today to find if any interesting up there. Yeah Friday !

Lazing around

Today is Chinese new year 5th day early morning 7.25am. I am using my iPhone to try blogging and, it works! Still fathoming my phone how come fully charge last nite and now it dropped to 15%. So weird.

So good to post here, means I need not have to use pc to blog as I tend to forget all the time. So sad. But I m still in a daze. As I popped up the co bus in the drizzling morning, it definitely a good morning just to sleep back, so cooling and lazy. I m getting fat! What the hack!

新年快乐！

Not knowingly, 2010 Tiger Lunar New Year had crept into my life. Well, actually it slipped in knowingly, just that I don't want to accept the fact. I had been in the nutshell for 4 donkey years (after working in this company for 4 years on 7th Feb 2006). Wao.... working like a cow or bull, I had been underpaid. Yes... I like this stupid term, immune and in fact, overworked. I promised sis I have to start working on and move on. Hai...

Ok Lunar New Year came. Today is the 3rd day of CNY. Lunar New Year eve, as usual went for reunion dinner. I changed my room curtain to a warmth pink and it suits the new year mood!

This year, we went to imm Long Beach at 3rd floor and this time, bro footing the bill. Well, we try to shrimp for him and had a 6 person's course lunar lunch. After the lunch, bro seemed still hungry. Well, he isn't full, so he ordered another 2 dishes. After lunch, Yanling and him were discussing the fullness and called both sis n me back. So funny. After lunch, I came back and slept. So full and tired, and I slept till 10pm. After that, I was awake till 3am of new year (shou nian).

New Year 1st day, Bro broke his 1st promise of the year. by right, we need to go to the temple early morning before 12pm early morning to pray for our maternal grandparents. Who knows, he said he wanted to meet us there. Who knows, at 12pm, I asked him where he was, and he was still inside malaysia. Wah Kaos~ If really to depend him, I think the cow can go home and still yet to be done! Shouldn't be mad at him, but feeling disappointed, although he was trying hard to come back Singapore from his relatives. Hai! After temple trip, we drove back home and ard 3pm, then he reach back singapore. Rushed back to give me an angbao. Haha!

After that, we went to Sis in-law's house. We had a sumptous dinner and play cards for whole night. I was so filled till the top of my throat. So awesome. Thought go home to watch last episode of the taiwan drama, but was postpone because of cny... argh.. need to wait for 1 more week!

2nd day of cny, went to Bingbing's daughter's full month. Meet so many people there as her relatives are there! Got couple of ang baos there as well. Haha.... Then Sis, bro-in-law n I met at cousins' house for another round of gambling. Fun siah! We played till midnight before we call it a day. Today I woke up at 10am and still lazing around for the another day before the new working day come. Treasuring the moments and start of new year! Resume here I come!

What am I thinking?!

Think my life is getting from dull to bored. No mood for anything as it seems nothing so up n downs for me to worry and excited over it.

Oh yah.. bought the iphone 16GB white colour at M1 shop with my sis n bil at bukit batok. After sis had bugged me into buying iphone for weeks, I finally relented and checked on website on the iphone price range. Earlier, sis and bil checked it out at Jurong Point roadshow from m1 side for the price, and they also checked that my phone was eligible to change to iphone plan, while till 31st January 2010. So, that convinced me that I should get a iphone. Hence I start checking out the details. After seeing the info from web, I was contemplating as to get the iphone value plan which cost $36 per month which threw in a 12GB data roaming, or remain at my $22 corporate plan, plus a data bundle of $8+ and it was a 1GB data bundle only, which added to be $35 inclusive of my caller ID. What a bomb right!

Hence, after discussing with Agnes over lunch on friday afternoon, I called M1 customer service to ask for the iphone thingy. Who knows, they actually had a corporate plan for iphone and my company was in it! Had a 15% discount which I just can't believe it for myself, as not only the price is $30.60+GST which is flat rate for that plan it also comprises of free caller ID for 24 months, 12GB data bundle, free auto roaming for 24 months as well. I just can't believe it. As I find that it was a hassle to call in the m1 customer service hotline, as they always keep make me wait over the phone half an hour or more. Too hot I suppose. So I asked the lady to activate it immediately, since I am keen to get a iphone real soon (it's saturday). Hence the iphone value plan was activated with immediate effect, and it was switched at 12am in the midnight!.

After lunched with sis n bil at Jurong Point at pizza hut, we went up 3rd floor m1 retail shop to purchase at Jurong Point as we wanted the convenience as to not to run to Westmall. Who knows after checking, there's some defects from that iphone which my sis n bil are not satisfied, hence, we decided to back-off. But the sales lady keep saying she had this problem at her iphone as well, and there's no other sets available and they only open sealed pack. As the ignorant me, I leave the decision to them. As the arguments stand at both parties, and we decided not to buy, but the lady said she had actually done all the paperwork. She voiced further that if every customer behaves like that, they won't able to sell their sets. My bil asked her to get another set within 2 hours, else why should we wait until tuesday which is 3 day later?! Situation went into a chaotic situation where sis n me was like watching a drama. Hah! End up, we said we decided not to buy, and the lady just tear away the paperwork in front of us to vent her frustrations. What a scene right?! We just walked away after i collected back my I/C.

After that we proceed straight to Westmall as the m1 main shop is there. Really regret that to go Jurong Point m1 retail shop where they barely have more than enough phones to pick upon. Finally waited the queue to mine, we told the sales fellow we need to check the defects 1st before we can commit to payment. He was v. understanding, bcos he said even their phones when purchase, they will check 1st for any defects before committing to purchase it. Also, he helped me to update all my contacts from my old phone to the iphone. Oh yeah, after checking through all the defects, it's a blessings in disguise as it's the 1st set he took out from the store and it is defectless! Must go and buy 4D!

After we bought, we went sakae sushi for dinner and bil gave us a treat (actually is I ask is he treating and that goes his treat!) Think that dinner cost a bomb as they ordered so many sashimi. The dinner went well and we went back jurong point to get the iphone pouch. After going few accessories shop for phones, we finally settled at singtel for their ideal pouch (as I had none), then back home. Wala, after hours of installing and downloading of programs, the iphone is reading before midnight for usage. So happy. Thanks sis and bil for all the helps! Hot hot iphone on the go, but wala, my company has little or no reception and I hardly can get the signal, and I see the word No connection, I almost fainted. The phone became a dummy at my seat! I called m1 customer service again for help. Even though the lady did said they will ask the technician to go down my workplace for repair and contact with me, but 3 days till now, there's no response at all. I wonder when I can see a full bar signal over my head at work, Sobs!

2010 here it comes!

Lazing for 10 full days at home maked me a dully gal, well... wrong.. I seemed to go out time to time for shopping, lunch with friends and cousins. Wao.... like "tai tai", and after the 10 days, I am punctured. Cleaning up my room and living room with my mum's "always" disturbing manner, I felt so annoyed and helpless. Quarelled with her for nothing, seemed always the case when I was at home a longer period with her. No energy to work. I am still adjusting my owl sleep and afternoon naps. Hai... Why I so lousy?!

Attended company D&D on 30/12/09. What a theme for this year. Wild Wild West. The "Yeehaw" folky old town type of feeling, with a cowboy hat! Haha.. I borrrowed the stylo Milo hat from Jeslyn mei and hmm.. it's very nice I feel. Went shopping with cousins and finally found a nice tops. Also gone to 313@Somerset which is pretty nice, but when we went in 1 of the shops name Glitter, the shop assistant is pretty aggresive in passing me the clothes to try, but I find that she abit too aggressive. But still, I managed to get a nice tops from that shop, but finding it bewildered why she's she aggressive. Then mix and match the clothings, after buying the tops and found sis's jackets, the combi looks pretty fine for me, but just that the make-up is abit too heavy, which is not compatible with my face tone. Abit upset ater saw the pics from my colleagues. Hmm... well, I won a 22nd prize - which comprises of a $40 taka voucher as well as a LG DVD player w karaoke. Pretty lucky I suppose, as compared to 6 people who never strike any at the same table as me.

Quite a while never post, hmm.. tried the AMK's western food. Wao.. a very big serving and at a very affordable rate. Went with Tim Tim and finally tried. Nice I should say, a chicken grilled and 4 sides inclusive of fries, mash potatoes and brocolli @$6+. Cheap right! keke...

Nice pic right from the D&D?! But didn't managed to take a big picture with all my co colleagues, so sad!