INDUSTRIAL DISEASES AT PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX

Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked the Acting Minister for Labour whether the Industrial Health Unit has anticipated the diseases related to Petrochemical Complex and what is being done to minimise the risks that workers at the Complex will be exposed to.

Prof S. Jayakumar: The Industrial Health Unit of the Ministry has anticipated this matter. A project team comprising representatives from relevant Government bodies was appointed in 1980 in the planning stage of the complex to ensure inter alia that adequate steps are taken to safeguard the health of workers.

As a result of the team's recommendations, measures were incorporated into plant designs to minimise the risk of emission or leakage of hydrocarbons, thereby reducing the exposure of workers to these chemicals.

The various plants in the complex have also been required to implement a monitoring programme to ensure that these control measures are effective.

Finally, workers who are exposed to certain harmful hydrocarbons are also required to undergo pre-employment and annual medical examinations. Official Report - MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL 1984 to 31ST MARCH 1985 (Cols. 881 - 884) schedule - STATISTICS OF PERSONAL INCOME TAX ASSESSED FOR YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1982 (Cols. 885 - 886)