MOJAVE – CA, FRIDAY July 31ST 2009 at approximately 9:23 A.M., a call
was received by
the Kern County Fire Department, for a reported chemical cylinder
explosion and
chemical leak at 1600 Block of Purdy, at Tri-Cal in Mojave.
6 Kern County Firefighters responded to the incident assisted by
Kern County Environmental Health Agency and a private ambulance
company.
Upon arrival, crews were informed by site personnel that a 56 year old
male had been
exposed to hazardous chemicals, when the cylinder he was filling
ruptured. On-site
personnel were in the process of decontaminating the victim, who was
complaining of
difficulty breathing and chemical burns to the skin.
Kern County Fire Department personnel continued with decontamination of
the victim and
assisted the ambulance crew with the victims assessment, pre-transport
treatment and
loading for transport, by ambulance to the hospital.
Approximately 360 lbs. or 26 gal. of product was spilled. Plant
personnel working with
Kern County Environmental Health will be managing the clean up.
There were no other injuries reported.