Why did the engineer not know how to operate the mixer machine safely?

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The Engineer Lacked Knowledge of Safe Mixer Machine Operation, Relying on His Boss for Instructions

The engineer tasked with instructing workers on the operation of a mixer machine at Stars Engrg admitted he did not possess a thorough understanding of its safe operation. Lwin Moe Tun testified that he relied heavily on his boss, Chua Xing Da, for guidance on how to operate the equipment. This dependence extended to addressing operational issues, where Lwin Moe Tun would defer to the boss's instructions rather than investigating problems himself, even when workers reported concerns.
Reliance on Boss for Operational Procedures

Lwin Moe Tun's testimony indicated a clear lack of independent knowledge regarding the mixer machine's safe use. When asked about a deformed heating rod, he stated he did not know what had happened and instructed a worker to seek instructions from Mr. Chua for changing the heater. This pattern of deferral highlights a company culture where operational decisions and safety protocols were dictated by the director, Chua Xing Da, rather than being based on the engineering staff's expertise. This approach meant that Lwin Moe Tun, despite being part of the risk management team, did not proactively investigate issues.
Failure to Address Machine Malfunctions

Workers had alerted Stars Engrg superiors to various problems with the mixer machine, including oil leaks, heater damage, smoke emission, and small fires, starting as early as August of the previous year. Lwin Moe Tun himself observed white smoke emanating from the machine's oil jacket from August or September, which became more significant by January. He recognized this smoke as oil vapors in October but did not halt the machine's operation, again citing that he was "waiting on the boss’ instructions to do something." This inaction persisted even after a minor fire linked to the machine on February 12, suggesting a significant gap in addressing reported safety concerns.
Deletion of Communications Amidst Incident

Following the fatal explosion, Lwin Moe Tun deleted text messages and photos from his and a worker's phones. These included a photograph of a damaged heater with taped wires sent shortly before the blast. Lwin Moe Tun claimed this was due to panic, believing he was the last person in contact with the worker before the incident. However, this action raised suspicions, particularly given the timing and the content of the deleted communications, which potentially indicated workers were attempting to use damaged components.
Inconsistent Testimony Regarding Communication Timing

An inconsistency emerged between Lwin Moe Tun's and his boss's testimonies concerning communication on the day of the incident. Chua Xing Da stated he first spoke to Lwin Moe Tun around noon, after learning of the blast. Conversely, Lwin Moe Tun claimed to have called Chua earlier, around 11:35 am or 11:40 am, to report that a worker was about to change the heater. This discrepancy in the timeline of reporting critical operational issues adds to the questions surrounding the communication and response protocols within Stars Engrg.

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Why did the engineer not know how to operate the mixer machine safely?

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