Pockwood Pond fires affect BVIEC workers
General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Neil Smith has confessed that the power company is concerned about fires that occur at the Pockwood Pond dump site, as they affect workers and have the potential to affect the power station that is in the same location.
In a recent interview with 284 Media, Smith said those fires could become a national security issue if they spread to BVIEC’s Pockwood Pond compound and aren’t contained in a timely manner.
He mentioned the most recent fire at the Pockwood site, which occurred in December last year and came close to the power station. He said BVIEC had to assist the fire department with the blaze in order to protect their workers and power station resources.
“What I’m even more concerned about is the safety of the people who work in the power station at Pockwood Pond who have to be there to run it. At one point, the fumes (from December fire) were so thick and serious that we had to use respirators to operate in the station because I don’t think it would have been acceptable to shut down the station and go home,” Smith explained.
He also said the BVIEC ensures that all workers undergo a comprehensive health examination each year but stressed that they should not have to work in conditions where they are exposed to hazardous fumes.
“The important point is that they shouldn’t have to work in these conditions. And even beyond the workers who sometimes work 18 to 20 hours per day, we have individuals in the community who are affected by this condition. But for me and the management team at BVIEC, our job is to look after our employees and that’s what we’re concerned about,” Smith explained.
He added that the government is aware of the issues that fires pose to the Pockwood Pond workers and power station facilities, adding that BVIEC is in constant dialogue with the Health Ministry as it seeks to reduce hazards. Additionally, Smith said there is also a hill above the station that could pose additional risk.
“We have a hill immediately above the power station that could slide if the right conditions present themselves and that is an issue we are in constant dialogue with the Health Ministry on and we’re hoping to get some relief from that situation in the very near future,” Smith explained.
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Sowande, Vincent and Kye responsible! Oh great, the 3 stooges. Struppes
Labor Code of 2010 Part X has had provsions to address occupational health and safety. Para 135 called for workplace assessments within one year of its enactemnet. That was 13 years ago. There have been problems with the incinerator since day 1 (back in the 20th century), and now this is an issue?
Secondly, selecting the proper respiratory protection requires knowledge of anticipated air contaminants. When it comes to smoke from fires, it’s not possible to know real time what is present in the smoke and in what quatities to determine if there is an appropriate filter/cartridge for air purifying respirators. Under such circumstances, the only choice (if one is serious about employee protection) is to use air supplied respirators which is why fire departments use self contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAS). As described in the piece, BVIEC may find it difficult to defend its apparent respiratory protection practices should it become a defendant in a claim for health related dameges, regardless of the source of the smoke.
LOOK HOW WE FRIGUP A GOOD PEICE AH LAND?
Why haven’t a class-action lawsuit been done as yet?
“The important point is that they shouldn’t have to work in these conditions. And even beyond the workers who sometimes work 18 to 20 hours per day, we have individuals in the community who are affected by this condition. But for me and the management team at BVIEC, our job is to look after our employees and that’s what we’re concerned about,”
What ways or can you provide examples of how the employees are being protected? Why are the workers working in these conditions if they should not work work in them? Would you work in those conditions or advise your loved ones to work in those conditions?
Well imagine how the residents of the first district feel and breathe through this..imagine jumping out your bed at 2 am thinking your home is on fire..when the fumes take over!! IMAGINE!! BUT WHO CARES???( every time you speak to an official all they sau is CAn’t you move or stay somewhere else ?)
Smoke and mirrors my friend. That’s all this government is.
They have the mirrors but need a source for the smoke
What about the poor people NOT working for BVIEC that are affected…tax payers having to suck in all that pollution and chemicals for years!!!!