A Westport Shipyard building in Port Angeles, Washington, was briefly evacuated Wednesday, April 4, 2012, due to a small chemical spill and fire, reports the Peninsula Daily News.
Westport employees extinguished the fire quickly and used their training to clean up the chemical spill effectively. The solution was used in the making of fiberglass, according to the news source.
Clallam County Fire District No. 2 firefighters were called to the scene and made sure the building was evacuated and the fire was extinguished. The officials also supported any remaining cleanup efforts before leaving.
There were no reported injuries and damage was limited to a small fiberglass fabrication machine.
In situations where chemicals have inadvertently leaked, having the proper emergency training and equipment is essential. The workers at the Westport facility had the knowledge to manage the spill quickly, and the proper absorbent devices were on hand.
Businesses that work with toxic chemicals may want to follow suit and stock their inventories with FiberLink Hazmat Bonded Absorbent Pads. These devices can soak up chemicals quickly and safely to ensure no one is hurt when hazardous materials spill.
