150 workers treated after health scare

Approximately 150 workers were rushed to the Seawork’s clinic for treatment, after they became nauseous while working at the Omankete Seafood Processor factory on Wednesday.
The workers became dizzy, started vomiting and experienced headaches.
Some of them started displaying the symptoms the previous day, and complained of the presence of a strange smell in the factory.
The situation deteriorated on Tuesday, and all of them were examined at the clinic facility at Seawork’s, situated next to Omankete.
Omankete factory manager called nurse Lizelle Strauss from the Seawork’s clinic at around 12:00 to examine the sick workers and determine the cause of the symptoms.
According to her, the symptoms are indicative of a lack of oxygen.
She advised that the factory cease operations and contacted the Seawork’s company doctor for advice.
The workers were instructed to visit the clinic for check-ups.
Their blood pressure and pulse were taken and they received headache tablets.
Strauss also advised them to drink lots of water.
Marcelino Ambrosini, spokesperson for the company, explained that the Omankete factory had been inactive for some time and started operating again on Monday at 13:00.
The ventilation valves had apparently not been opened.
This resulted in an excessive build-up of carbon dioxide, which in return led to an oxygen shortage.
An investigation found that the ventilation pump supplying and circulating fresh air to the factory was not functioning
properly.
The workers were sent home to recuperate and will resume their duties today.
Omankete Seafood is a joint venture between Omankete Investments (Pty) Limited and Seawork Fish Processors (Pty) Limited. The hake processing factory was constructed at a cost of N$30 million and inaugurated in 2011.
OTIS FINCK