INCIDENT: WORK SUSPENDED ON FORMER MUSTARD GAS SITE

Two workers affected during work on new Avonmouth recycling plant project

It has been reported by This is Bristolthat work has been suspended on a building site at Avonmouth after fears that two workers have been affected by ‘mustard gas’. The men reported nosebleeds during groundworks on the site where Sita UK is building a recycling plant.

The site is a former site occupied by Britannia Zinc where it is understood that mustard gas was produced during World War I. Council spokesman James Easey said experts from the Ministry of Defence from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory have been called in from Porton Down. Mr Easey said:

“Sampling has taken place on a site under development in Avonmouth. The council’s environmental protection team is working closely with the site’s owners (SITA UK), environmental consultants and other government agencies. We’re awaiting the results of the tests and work has been suspended by the company until these have been analysed. Preliminary investigations over the last eight weeks have not shown anything of concern – and there is no cause for concern to neighbouring businesses.”

Michael Dobson, spokesman for SITA UK said:

“As a precaution, and following some issues on site, we’ve stopped work. As a responsible company, we’re now following the advice of the Health Protection Agency, the Environment Agency and Bristol City Council’s environmental protection team. Air monitoring and sampling’s been undertaken and we’re awaiting results.”

This article was posted on 17th May 2012 in ALL LATEST NEWS, INCIDENTS, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH.
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INCIDENT: WORK SUSPENDED ON FORMER MUSTARD GAS SITE

Two workers affected during work on new Avonmouth recycling plant project

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