Workers Inhale Toxic Chlorine Gas

Fourteen workers at a meat processing factory in Boksburg suffered respiratory distress when they inhaled a toxic chlorine gas.

A worker was allegedly trying to unblock a drain in the freezer section by pouring chlorine into the blocked drain. The drain remained blocked so they poured a further amount of drain cleaner into the drain. When this still did not unblock the drain, pool acid was poured into the drain. The combination of all three liquids caused a toxic cloud of chlorine gas to be emitted from the drain.

ER24 paramedics were called to the scene when workers started suffering from respiratory distress. Six people needed to be given an inhalant solution via nebuliser, while a further eight received oxygen. They were all transported by ER24 road ambulance to a nearby private hospital.

The appropriate managers were on the scene to sign the paperwork to ensure that all the affected workers were taken to hospital. It will be the responsibility of the factory's safety officer to investigate the incident.