Safety Analysis

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11.19 USA 091119-05 Eminence, KY. Hussey Copper LTD Company. An official with the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency said a cyanide leak at Hussey Copper started around 22:00, and has been contained. Two employees at the plant were cleaning copper when they were overcome. Both workers were treated at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

11.18 Taiwan 091118-03 Mailiao. Nan Ya Plastics Corp. Nan Ya Plastics President Wu Chia-chau said it had delayed the restart of a chemical plant in Mailiao because of a gas leak. Twelve workers were sent to hospitals for checkups, and initial results show that they are fine, Wu said. The toluene di-isocyanate plant had been halted for inspection before the accident, he said, without giving details. The company has repaired the leak and is conducting further inspection before restarting the plant, which has an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes. Nan Ya Plastics describes itself as “the world's largest processor of plastics for pipes and imitation leather”.

11.17 India 091117-05 Noida, Delhi. Samsung. More than 60 workers at the Samsung washing machine plant in Noida Phase-II had to be taken to the hospital after a suspected gas leak in the facility. According to hospital sources, five of the workers were critical and were in the ICU. The others were recuperating, and some have been discharged.

According to workers, there were around 100 employees at Samsung’s washing machine manufacturing plant at 16:30 when most complained of feeling breathless; many started retching and some lost consciousness. Some workers later said there was a commotion in the factory, though no one could initially understand what had happened.

The police were called and affected workers were taken to the nearby Kailash Hospital. Doctors at the hospital said half the patients admitted were discharged after medication by late evening. Dr Sarika, in-charge of the emergency ward, said: “They complained of nausea, vomiting and dizziness; many of them had fainted. These are symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The five critical patients are under constant watch.”