25.2 – Report on the chemical accident from 01 February  2024

25.2.1 – Introduction

The aim of this report is to determine the circumstances surrounding this accident and to suggest measures to be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

25.2.2 – Findings

Even though nobody was seriously injured in the accident, it is crucial to know how it could have happened at all. The ongoing investigation has shown that two employees were working with lethal substances without having any prior knowledge of how to deal with them. Due to their poor safety precautions, one of the workers accidentally spilt the liquid over his hands which resulted in minor injuries. If he had had proper in-company training on the necessary procedures of dealing with such poisonous materials, he would have been aware that the use of appropriate clothing is indispensable. Thanks to the prompt reaction of his co-worker who urged him to cleanse his hands extensively, the severity of his wounds was lower than expected.

This substance is required for the production of a resilient solvent and would normally be handled by properly trained staff. Due to the fact that both specialists were absent that day, the two employees took the task into their own hands without informing their supervisor.

25.2.3 – Conclusion

This accident could have been avoided if they had only informed their superior. Additionally, it must be mentioned that the warning labels on the bottles are barely visible and do not meet the required norms for hazardous materials, To make matters worse, they are readily available on an open shelf in the storage area.

25.2.4 – Recommendations

Both the storage and identification labels of such materials need to be altered. Apart from that, a decision has to be made on the training of suitable deputies in the event of the absence of the currently trained specialists. To summarise, the company’s entire safety guidelines should be revised.

© Jamie Collins

Chief investigator