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15 January, 2007
A 4 January pipeline leak of some 4.5 tonnes of the chemical hexamethylene diamine (HMDA) at a BASF nylon intermediates plant near Bellingham, Teesside UK, was termed a “major incident,” causing injuries to 37 workers, including one worker still in serious condition at a North-East UK hospital.
Two other workers had been hospitalised up until late last week. One of the two underwent plastic surgery for burns to the face. Hexamethylene diamine is a component in the manufacture of synthetic material nylons, and is a corrosive substance which causes chemical burns when contact with the skin and eyes is made. It also causes damage if breathed into the lungs.
The incident injured both BASF staff and contract workers employed at the chemical plant.
ICEM UK affiliate GMB, which represents some workers at the plant, said it will involve itself fully in investigations now underway by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive and the Environmental Agency. “When there is an accident of this nature, we always have questions about safety and why it happened,” GMB Regional Secretary Tom Brennan told a local newspaper, the Northern Echo. “I can assure you, there will be questions raised over safety procedures, equipment, and machinery. There will be a complete review.”
Twenty of the workers were decontaminated at the worksite, but 17 others were rushed to hospitals.
BASF, the world’s largest chemical concern, has had two other serious health and safety occurrences in recent years at this operational site. The German company’s previous site, in Wilton, a town close to Bellingham, was struck by a massive fire in 1995. And four years later, a worker who inhaled cyanide fumes died. BASF was fined ₤20,000 in 2002 for that workplace death.
BASF bought the nylon intermediate plant on Seal Sands Road in Bellingham in 1985.