A special investigation into the deaths of six workers at Aqtogai Milk LLP in the Pavlodar Region has concluded with the establishment of 100 percent employer liability. The commission concluded that the workers had not been adequately trained in the safe execution of high-risk work and had not been provided with the necessary personal protective equipment.
WHAT THE COMMISSION ESTABLISHED
The investigation showed that the workers had not been trained in safe methods and techniques for carrying out high-risk work. Furthermore, they had not been provided with the necessary personal protective equipment.
The commission also established that the organisation of work in the sewer manhole did not ensure the required level of safety. This concerned, among other things, actions in an emergency situation and the carrying out of rescue operations.
HOW THE INVESTIGATION PROGRESSED
Following the incident, a special commission was set up and tasked with establishing the causes and circumstances of the accident. Following the investigation, the commission identified the responsible officials and prepared recommendations for eliminating the identified violations and preventing similar cases.
It was previously reported that the police were conducting a pre-trial investigation under part 4 of article 156 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Violation of occupational safety rules"). Three suspects were detained in connection with this case.
WHY THE INVESTIGATION RESULTS ARE IMPORTANT
The commission's findings specify the circumstances of the tragedy and establish the degree of employer responsibility within the framework of the special investigation into the accident. At the same time, the results of the commission's investigation do not constitute a court verdict in the criminal case, details of which were previously published by the police.
It has also not been specified which particular officials were found responsible, nor what specific recommendations the commission prepared.
WHAT EMPLOYERS WERE ASKED TO NOTE
Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Ministry of Labour called on employers in the Pavlodar Region and other regions to pay particular attention to the safety of work in wells, reservoirs, tanks and other confined spaces.
The ministry stressed the need to provide workers with personal protective equipment, train them in safe working methods and prepare personnel for actions in emergency situations and rescue operations.
CONTEXT
The tragedy occurred on 20 July in the village of Zholaman on the territory of Aqtogai Milk LLP. According to preliminary data, workers were repairing an electric pump in a sewer manhole. As a result of the incident, 6 people died at the scene. The youngest victim was 16 years old. Another man was hospitalised with moderate carbon monoxide poisoning.
In order to establish the causes and circumstances of what happened, a special commission was set up on the instructions of the leadership of the Government.
Later, three suspects were detained and placed in a temporary detention facility.
