Drainage maintenance firms in UAE cautioned

Dubai:  Police have urged sewage and drainage maintenance companies to take precautions to protect their workers from inhaling deadly hydrogen sulphide.

Companies must adhere to the safety rules and regulations that protect their workers from exposure to this gas which can kill in a few minutes, police said.

Toxicology experts at the Forensic Evidence and Criminology Department said the gas' disguised smell makes people unaware they are inhaling it, but its toxic particles can kill.

Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Al Sumaiti said the warning is not just for companies but people who clean household drains regardless of the size.

Hydrogen sulphide is known to be a deceptive gas, because although it is very pungent at first, it quickly deadens the sense of smell, so potential victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late.

"The gas is a by-product of bacterial breakdown of organic material and has the pungent smell of rotten eggs. It accumulates at the bottom of manholes and drains," Lt Col Al Sumaiti said.

Workers often make the mistake of opening manholes and drains and going straight to the bottom.

Lack of awareness and failure by companies to inform workers of this risk results in these accidents, said Lt Col Al Sumaiti.