At about 9 p.m. Tuesday, Central Dispatch advised fire officials there had been an explosion at the chemical plant off of Pennyroyal Road that left one worker at the plant injured. However, when the cleanup crew arrived at 3V Chemical Co, it turned out to be a chemical spill. According to Georgetown County Assistant Fire Chief Tony Hucks, the spill was caused by falling barrels.
Emergency crews were informed that the plant accident involved hydrochloric acid. Hucks said the injured man fell three stories and landed on a metal rod that pierced his leg. Rescue workers had freed the man by 9:20 p.m. The worker was placed on a backboard and was transported to an area hospital for decontamination. The worker is expected to be transported to the Medical University of South Carolina. His condition has not been released.
Emergency responders later learned that workers had been moving barrels chemicals for storage when the cables around the barrels broke while being hoisted, sending four barrels crashing to the ground. Three of the four barrels burst open on impact, causing the spill.
Several emergency workers reported inhaling the fumes, though none were detected outside of the facility. The incident is still currently under investigation.
Workplace or on the job accidents are a potential reality in any work environment. Whether you work in a plant, construction site or in an office, the potential for being hurt on the job is there. Workers who have suffered serious burns or other injuries are entitled to compensation for those injuries.
Burns can be the most painful injuries in the world. Workers who have been injured in accidents involving burns, especially those which are greater than a second degree, need to consider the future cost of the injuries as well as compensation for pain and suffering that they will face.
Having a good, experienced attorney on your side in order to help you navigate through the insurance claims and on the job injury for an on the job injury is a must. At the Law Offices of Howell & Christmas we have over 31 years of experience in the South Carolina courts being advocates for those who have been hurt oat work.
