Workers digging out waste amid the rotten stench from Bromley's wastewater treatment plant pond are using respiratory equipment to keep safe.
Photo: Supplied Image - Christchurch City Council
Hydrogen sulphide not only causes a stink but can be lethal at high levels of exposure.
A worker died from overexposure to the gas at a waste plant in Lower Hutt in 2017.
The Christchurch City Council said that all workers at Bromley have personal respiratory equipment and carry gas monitors to track exposure.
It said the diggers in the midst of the waste have HEPA air filtration systems.
"These extra precautions are for those contractors working in a confined area where there could be higher levels of hydrogen sulphide," said Jane Davis, general manager infrastructure, planning and regulatory services.
Gas levels were checked daily before work began and gas monitors to date have detected no hazardous gases being emitted from the trickling filters, she said.
