Worker exposed to chlorine gas
BIRDSBORO » A situation involving hazardous materials brought emergency crews to a power plant construction site on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Emergency crews were called to EIG Environmental, 1 Armorcast Road, just before 2 p.m. Authorities say a gas was emitted from a cylinder in the ground prior to construction.
One male reportedly inhaled the chemical after the product exploded and he was quickly moved to a “fresh air environment,” according to first responders.
Emergency medical assistance was then requested. The man’s current condition is not known.
“Crews reported a yellowish liquid coming from the cylinder, when moved cylinder smokes,” read a post from Fire Alerts of Berks on the incident.
At around 3 p.m. Fire Alerts of Berks posted an update saying the Hazmat team confirmed the chemical to be chlorine.
Southern Berks Emergency Medical Services and Gibraltar Fire Company were at the scene.
Bob Kula, vice president for corporate communication for Kiewit Corp., released the following statement: “This afternoon, a subcontractor employee of Kiewit working on the Birdsboro Power Project was removing debris as part of planned remediation and cleanup of the property. The employee was operating a track loader and made contact with a canister while moving material on site, resulting in the release of chlorine gas in the vicinity of the worker. The employee was treated at the scene by paramedics and is currently under observation.”
Kiewit is working closely with Birdsboro Power LLC, Environmental Infrastructure Group and local Hazmat authorities to investigate the incident, Kula said.
“The safety of all those on and near the project is our utmost priority,” he said.