Two workers from a contracting company died on 22 April in the village of Saumalkol, Aiyrtau District, North Kazakhstan Region. The tragedy occurred during work at a sewage pumping station.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Department of Police of the North Kazakhstan Region (DP SKO), two men — an electrician and a fitter from the contracting company — died during repair work at the sewage pumping station.
“A pre-trial investigation has been launched by the police into the violation of occupational safety rules,” the DP SKO press service reported.
PRELIMINARY CAUSE OF DEATH
According to preliminary information, the workers may have suffered fatal gas poisoning. It is thought this could involve methane and hydrogen sulphide.
The final circumstances of the incident are being established.
CONTEXT
The deaths of workers at industrial sites in Kazakhstan draw attention to issues of compliance with safety regulations, monitoring of working conditions, and the readiness of enterprises for emergencies.
Previously, at the KAZ Minerals mine in the Abai Region, a gas release occurred, resulting in the death of one worker. The incident also led to the hospitalisation of two other people, and a criminal case has been opened into the matter.