Chemical Escapes at Refinery, Sends Three to Hospital

Safety officials at the Calumet Specialty Products refinery are investigating an accident that sent three contract workers to the hospital.

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Safety officials at the Calumet Specialty Products refinery are investigating an accident that sent three contract workers to the hospital.

The Times reports (https://bit.ly/sIgSvL) the workers were part of a crew performing routine maintenance on a diesel hydrotreater — a fuel processing unit — when hydrogen sulfide gas escaped from a nearby pipe about 9 a.m. Friday.

Calumet spokesman Derek Daniel says two workers were overcome by the gas, while the third man was affected when he tried to help them. All three were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately released.

Daniel says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified. What caused the pipe to release the chemical remains under investigation.

He says the gas was immediately contained and shut off after the accident.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.shreveporttimes.com

 

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