2 workers without masks die in septic tank task
By Jhunnex Napallacan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:24:00 08/13/2008
CEBU CITY – Two workers wearing no protective gear died from exposure to methane gas in a septic tank in a hotel in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City on Monday, police said Tuesday.
A third one survived, police said. The dead workers were identified as Ricky del Pilar and Jako Aresgado. The one who survived, Esmail Ligedo, is recuperating at the Mactan Community Hospital.
PO3 Joseph Damasco, homicide investigator of the Lapu-Lapu City police, said the three were extracting wastes from the septic tank of the Microtel Inn and Suites for contractor JCM Septic Tank Service.
Damasco said Aresgado and Del Pilar were overcome by methane gas when they tried to rescue Ligedo who slipped and fell into the septic tank.
Emergency response workers tried to revive Aresgado and Del Pilar but they died at the Mactan Community Hospital.
Damasco said police would look into the possible liability of the workers’ employer, JCM Septic Tank Services, for failing to provide them with protective gear.
“They didn’t even have masks,” said Damasco.
The InspectaPedia, a website on home and construction, said workers should enter septic tanks only when trained for the job and if wearing protective gear, like breathing apparatuses.
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