MASSY WORKER DIES AFTER NIQUAN ACCIDENT

CALLS for an immediate investigation into the death of Massy Energy employee Allanlane Ramkissoon and into the safety of NiQuan Energy gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant, where he was injured, last Thursday, are again being made by the Opposition and the OWTU.

Newsday understands Ramkissoon died on Father’s Day at a specialist centre in Columbia, after suffering burns to approximately 40 per cent of his body, plus injuries suffered when he fell some ten feet, to escape the flames in the room in which he was trapped on June 15.

Ramkissoon, lived at Barrackpore with his wife Sarah, and was employed with Massy Energy Engineered Solutions Ltd, (MEES), which was contracted by NiQuan Energy Trinidad Ltd.

Niquan is located on the compound of the Pointe-a-Pierre Refinery.

A statement from MEES, confirmed his death. The company also said it was deeply saddened by the passing of Ramkissoon who was being treated at a specialist facility but succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

“The Massy Group extends our condolences to the family and loved ones of Allanlane Ramkissoon, and we continue to support his family during this difficult time.”

In a late statement from NiQuan Energy on Monday night, the company extended "heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Ramkissoon, with the assurance that all appropriate measures are being taken to respond accordingly to the requirements of all parties."

It added, "An investigation is being conducted into the circumstances of this unfortunate tragedy. All regulatory bodies have been notified."

There was no response from Energy Minister Stuart Young up to press time despite repeated calls and messages.

Newsday understands Ramkissoon’s wife was with him at the time of his death, but the family was said to be distraught and unable to communicate with the media.

Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee again sounded an alarm about the safety of the plant which was shut down for approximately one year owing to an explosion in 2021. The plant was reopened in April 2022.

Lee has made repeated calls, albeit unsuccessfully, for the report on that incident to be made public.

He said he was appalled that after last Thursday’s incident, the plant was still up and running.

“Again, I am calling for the Niquan to be shut down while a thorough investigation into the safety of that plant takes place. There must also be an investigation into the incident which led to the death of Mr Ramkissioon.”

Lee said Young could not afford to be silent on the issue while people’s lives were at risk. He reminded the public that the plant was located within the compound of the refinery which belongs to the State and is surrounded by communities with dense populations.

Christopher Jackman, president of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union Pointe-a-Pierre branch who spoke to the media at the Labour Day rally in Fyzabad, also expressed concern that the plant was allowed to operate after the death of a worker.

Jackman said the OWTU was not involved in the investigation because Niquan was not a unionised environment.

Jackman said he was told Ramkissoon was at work when he encountered a process leak where naphtha – a flammable oil containing various hydrocarbons – was sprayed on him.

Jackman said there was an eruption and both Ramkissoon and the room were set ablaze. Because of the flames, he said, Ramkissoon could not reach the access ladder and his colleagues encouraged him to jump.

In his bid to escape the inferno, Ramkissoon jumped some ten feet, but his colleagues were not able to catch him, and he sustained further injuries.

Jackman said, “I was told it took some three hours for an ambulance to arrive on the site, which is unheard of in a risky environment like Niquan.

“He was taken to Westshore Medical facilities, but precious time could have been saved, which may have assisted in saving his life if the Augustus Long Hospital, which has the best burns unit in the country was not shut down along with Petrotrin."

Accompanied by his wife, he was taken via air ambulance to Florida.

Referring to the closure of Petrotrin and August Long, Jackman said, “everything seems to be regressing. From the issue with the four divers in the Paria tragedy to this incident in which a worker died.

“He will simply be replaced at his workplace, and his family would now be left to mourn the loss of a husband, brother, son.”

This story was originally published with the title "Massy worker dies after accident at Niquan plant" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

INJURED worker Allanlane Ramkissoon has died, three days after being burnt in an accident at the NiQuan Energy gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant at the former Petrotrin compound at Pointe-a-Pierre. His employer issued a statement on Sunday titled: Incident at NiQuan Energy Services Ltd Facility

It said: "Massy Energy Engineered Solutions Ltd is deeply saddened by the passing of our employee Allanlane Ramkissoon who was involved in an incident at NiQuan Energy Trinidad Ltd on Thursday, June 15.

"Mr Ramkissoon was being treated at a specialist facility, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and passed away on Sunday, June 18."

The Massy Group extended its condolences to Ramkissoon's family and loved ones and said it continued to support his family during this difficult time.