The chamber where two workers were asphyxiated was built by Anna University’s Centre for Water Resource for research purposes.
The 5x5 feet brick chamber was 10 feet deep and was for a solar energy project. The chamber, built on a patch of land belonging to the department, was to be used to compress atmospheric air that would be later converted to mechanical energy.
To prevent leakage, a rubber lining had to be pasted on the inner wall with a chemical.
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The chemical was toxic and highly odorous.
“The contract, worth Rs. 80,000 for the work, was given to Kavi Meena Rubber Company,” said P. Narayanasami, dean, College of Engineering.
According to officials, when the work began, a research assistant had given the keys to the gate of the patch of land to the workers who were told to lock the gate after they completed the work.
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“Around 4 p.m., when he went to check on the status of the work, he found them unconscious in the chamber. We got the guards to bring them out,” Prof. Narayanasami said. The duo was examined by the university’s doctor who declared them dead.
Precautions
Virugambakkam Area Committee Secretary of the CPI (M) G. Selva, who visited the site and spoke to university employees, said: “How come a technical university of international repute did not take safety precautions? The Central government has issued safety norms to be followed during experiments. When even students in laboratory must follow precautions, why were the officials callous about workers?”
The workers were given the keys to the spot where the tank was located and left to work