Oswestry chemical spill: Substance that closed waste plant came from Brazil
An investigation into a chemical spill at an Oswestry recycling plant that left seven people in hospital has traced the leak back to Brazil.
On December 6, Oswestry Waste Paper, which is run by Recycling UK, was shut down for 24 hours with five staff members kept at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital overnight.
It was happened after a chemical that was inside a bail of paper became airborne.
The Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency are still investigating, but it has been revealed the chemical originated in the recycling system in Brazil.
Neil Clarke, managing director of Recycling UK Ltd said: “The incident was caused by a package of chemicals which was accidentally sent to us in recycled material by one of our suppliers.
“The chemicals were tracked back to Brazil.
“The issue is in the hands of the HSE and the Environmental Agency now, so they will now be looking at how the package was able to get into the country and on to our premises.
“We were closed for 24 hours following the incident. The package was taken away and the site was decontaminated."
Procedures
Mr Clarke added: “The reality is that it was a one-off accident that couldn’t have been predicted. It could have happened anywhere.
“We’re now waiting for feedback from the authorities now.
“The incident was dealt with by everyone impeccably. Everything was dealt with as it should have been, the safety procedures were implemented, and the emergency services worked very well.
“Our main concern is that something like this was able to happen. Obviously, it’s reassuring for us that the HSE and Environmental Agency will now be looking at what can be done to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
A spokesman for HSE added: “The investigation at Oswestry Waste Paper is being undertaken by the Environment Agency. HSE is supporting their investigation.”
