Chemical Leak Injures Workers at Taumarunui Transfer Station
TAUMARUNUI, NEW ZEALAND – Two workers at the Taumarunui Transfer Station were injured on Tuesday, November 25, after coming into contact with an unidentified chemical during recycling operations. One worker sustained a chemical burn to their arm,while another experienced eye and throat irritation from fumes.
The incident occurred when staff were packing plastics for off-site transport. The chemical was contained in unlabelled containers that ruptured, according to Ruapehu District Council. The Taumarunui Fire BrigadeS hazardous materials team safely collected and contained the substance, believed to be an acid, in a sealed container.Its exact nature remains unknown due to the lack of labelling.
The transfer station has as reopened.This incident follows a separate event on Friday, november 28, where six people, including five children, were hospitalised in Christchurch with chemical burns after a sterilising chemical was misused.
Ruapehu District Council has processes in place for the safe disposal of chemicals at both the Taumarunui and Ohakune transfer stations and urges anyone with concerns or unidentified chemicals to contact the council or transfer station staff.
“This was a major health and safety incident that coudl have been wholly avoided,” said Ruapehu District Council solid waste manager Anne Marie Westcott. “Unlabelled or partially full chemical containers pose a serious threat, not only to our staff, but also to the environment, if they make their way into waterways. We need the community’s support to keep everyone safe.”
The council has issued guidance on proper chemical disposal, including keeping labels intact, ensuring containers are empty before disposal, and exercising extreme caution with unidentified liquids. A full list of disposal instructions is available on the Ruapehu District Council website: https://www.ruapehudc.govt.nz/our-council/news?item=id:2wets21wz1cxby0lhbbi.
