Union starts probe at toxic leak plant

A Teesside chemical plant closed down after a toxic leak last week injured 37 people has reopened. The move came as a union started its own investigation into possible worker safety concerns on the site.

Two men remain in hospital following the incident at the BASF site in Seal Sands, Billingham. The more seriously injured worker, who was on the critical list, has now been moved out of intensive care at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and moved to a special burns unit. An investigation is continuing into the leak of 4.5 tonnes of highly corrosive hexamethylenediamine on 4 January. One of the injured men needed plastic surgery for burns, according to Cleveland Police. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inquiry has begun.

Officials of the union GMB said this week they would be speaking to members at the plant. Tom Brennan, GMB regional secretary, said: 'Obviously, when there is an accident of this nature, we always have questions about safety and why it happened. But we will be speaking to the workers we represent at the BASF plant and asking if they had any concerns prior to this major incident.' He added: 'I can assure you there will be questions raised over safety procedures, equipment and machinery. There will be a complete review. What's most important in cases of this nature is that we don't have a repeat incident.'

BASF was fined £20,000 in 2000 for breaching health and safety regulations at the plant. The HSE prosecution came after an investigation into the death of a worker who inhaled cyanide fumes. Teesside Magistrates Court was told the breach did not cause 41-year-old Derek Tuck's death.

Emergency workers were also put on alert in August 2004 after a leak of corrosive sulphur dioxide at the plant.

12 jan 2007 – TUC web