An employee was burned in a significant ammonia leak inside a North Attleboro firm on Tuesday, leaving him gravely ill but likely to live.
Just after ten in the morning, firefighters from multiple communities responded to the call. According to Chris Coleman, the fire chief of North Attleboro, a plumber was working on an oven in the building, which was eventually going to be thrown out, when he unintentionally struck a line leading to an ammonia tank that was thought to be empty and inactive.
Nonetheless, the mistaken cut caused a significant leak because the tank contained over 1000 gallons of ammonia. The hazardous substance is thought to have seeped out of the facility in 500 gallons.
As vents started to pump the chemical outside, two adjoining firms on the industrial thoroughfare Larsen Way had to be evacuated. Nevertheless, the chief stated that there was no danger to the broader public. The owners of the company told authorities that the tank had not been utilized for around 14 months.
Seven workers were admitted to the hospital.
Out of the 15 to 18 people who were reportedly employed at the time, the leak sent seven of them to the hospital; most of them had mild inhalation injuries.
J.T. Inman, a sterling silver company that has been in operation since 1882, is the building’s manager. Its mission statement reads, in part, to “be your source for sterling silver gifts of high quality and originality.”
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The state, EPA, and OSHA were notified of the dangerous leak. OSHA stated that it is looking into the matter.
J.T. Inman may have violated OSHA more than once. Reports that are available to the public state that the business was fined thousands of dollars in 2023 for failing to properly secure some pieces of equipment, thereby “exposing employees to crush injuries, fractured bones, and amputations.”
While numerous organizations look into the leak and why the jewelry shop needed such a large ammonia tank, the building is closed indefinitely.
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