by William A. Weathers, Cincinnati Enquirer
READING – Eight plant workers were hospitalized - two with critical injuries- when they were exposed to a gas leak this morning at the Rohm and Haas Co. chemical plant on West Street.
Reading Fire Chief Kevin Kaiser said employees were in the process of taking apart some machinery when the gas was released about 9:30 a.m.
Kaiser said firefighters hadn’t positively identified the gas today, but believe it could be hydrogen sulfide. He said the leak was confined to small area of the third floor of one of the facility’s building, and there was no need to evacuate the surrounding residential area.
“This is a serious incident,” Kaiser said. “The plant has a good safety record.”
Eight workers were taken to University Hospital. They included four maintenance workers and members of the plant’s Emergency Response Team, company officials said.
The leak happened on the third floor of one of the complex’s buildings, Kaiser said. The injuries resulted after employees breathed in the gas. The six workers who sustained minor injuries and were listed in good condition.
The plant, which employs 109 people, produces specialty chemicals used to manufacture PVC pipe, vinyl siding and windows, plastic bottles and blister packing.
The leak has been reported to the appropriate agencies, company managers said.
The fire department regularly inspects the plant, Kaiser said.
Fifty-year-old John Stall, who lives on nearby Bernard Avenue, said the facility has been a good neighbor.
Company representatives meet monthly with a community group to see if there are any neighborhood complaints.
Stall said the only complaints he’s aware of is an occasional “rotten egg or sulfur smell.” He said company officials have always promptly addressed the problem.
E-mail bweathers@enquirer.com
The incident happened on the third floor of one of the complex’s buildings. He said the injuries resulted after employees breathed the gas.
The building, where chemicals to stabilize plastics are made, is closed. No details were available as to the number of employees at the plant or when the building will reopen.
Kaiser said the leak was contained and the gas poses no hazard to the public.
“This is a serious incident,” Kaiser said. “The plant has a good safety record.”
The fire department regularly inspects the plant.
