Kuching - IOT Management Sdn Bhd (IOTM) successfully conducted its Tier 2 Emergency Response Simulation Drill today at the IOT Bulk Terminal Bitumen Tank facility, reaffirming the company’s unwavering commitment to safety excellence and emergency preparedness across its operations.
Held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, the simulation exercise was built around a realistic high-risk confined space emergency involving bitumen tank cleaning activities. The scenario focused on critical hazards such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) exposure and heat stress, requiring rapid decision-making, effective communication, and seamless coordination among response teams and external agencies.
This annual initiative form part of IOTM’s continuous efforts to strengthen its Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) practices, while rigorously assessing the readiness and effectiveness of its Emergency Response Team (ERT). The drill was designed to replicate real emergency conditions, enabling the organisation to further enhance incident response capabilities, operational resilience, and cross-functional coordination.
During the exercise, two workers entered the tank after completing all mandatory safety checks as part of confined space operations involving bitumen tank cleaning. Shortly after entry, both individuals began showing symptoms consistent with gas exposure. The situation escalated when one worker collapsed while the other sustained a leg injury, preventing evacuation from the tank.
Subsequent gas monitoring confirmed the presence of hazardous gas levels alongside a ventilation system failure. The IOTM’s ERT was immediately mobilised and successfully extracted one casualty using breathing apparatus equipment. Due to elevated-risk environment, additional support was activated including the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) HAZMAT team to safely recover the second casualty. Both individuals were subsequently handed over to medical responders for further treatment.
This exercise provided an important platform for IOTM and its response partners to evaluate operational preparedness, validate emergency procedures, test communication systems, and assess equipment effectiveness under simulated high-pressure conditions. More importantly, it reinforced the importance of integrated emergency response collaboration involving government agencies, industry stakeholders, and operational teams.
Group Managing Director of Senari Synergy, Dato Jefri Ahmad Tambi, stated that safety remains a core pillar across the Group’s operations and continues to be embedded in every aspect of the organisation’s culture and decision-making processes. “At IOTM, safety is not merely a compliance requirement, it is a shared responsibility and a core value that guides how we operate every single day. Drills such as this are diligently planned and consistently implemented to ensure our people remain prepared, capable, and resilient in handling emergency situations safely and effectively”.
He added that the Group’s long-standing emphasis on proactive safety management, continuous training, and operational discipline has contributed significantly to itsoutstanding safety track record. “Our achievement of more than 10 million manhours without Lost-Time Injury (LTI) reflects the strong safety culture that has been built and sustained over the past decade. This milestone demonstrates the collective commitmentof our employees, contractors, and partners towards maintaining the highest standards of workplace safety.”
As of May 2026, IOTM has successfully achieved 10,762,719 manhours without Lost-Time Injury, underscoring the company’s steadfast commitment to protecting its personnel, safeguarding operations, and ensuring the wellbeing of the surrounding community. IOTM remains committed to continuously enhancing its emergency response capabilities and strengthening its operational excellence through robust safety practices,strategic collaboration, and continuous improvement initiatives.
