Navotas Ice Plant Ammonia Leak Incident Will Fine P100k Says DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) could fine the owner of the ice plant in Navotas City by P100,000 after ammonia leaked, killing two people.
Engineer Noel Binag, executive director of the occupational safety and health center of the DOLE said in an interview with Teleradyo, that the ice plant has a violation of the standard of occupational safety and health standard.
As a result, DOLE will impose an administrative fine for non-compliance to a standard that will result in grave injury or death. Binag also advised other plants to comply with the DOLE policy.
“They should have interventions or controls in place in case of emergency, ‘certified first-aider,’ occupational health facilities and medicines,” he said.
Apart from the two casualties, 90 others became ill due to inhaling ammonia. The plant’s staff will continue to receive salaries despite its temporary closure.
READ ALSO: Man Found Dead In Navotas Ice Plant Due To Ammonia Leak
According to the DOLE, assistance can be requested from the Employees ’Compensation Commission. Under this, workers affected by the work-related incident may benefit.
Meanwhile, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the ammonia level in the plant is still high so they have not been able to enter the facility until now for investigation. They will also look into whether there was negligence or just an accident that happened to hold the offender accountable.
They are still gathering evidence and witnesses to the incident. They are looking at two angles that may be causing the ammonia to leak.
This is overpressure with the equipment and oldness of the tanks. BFP explained that every year they inspect the plant. The facility, owned by the family of Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, also passed the fire safety inspection.
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