WASHINGTON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Update: At around 2:40 p.m. crews were dispatched to Perdue Farms in Washington, Indiana for a chemical spill.
According to a statement from Perdue Farms, a pallet being transported on a forklift tipped over causing a chemical spill outside of the facility.
The building, which included about 350 employees, was evacuated while onsite safety and environmental teams responded to contain and clean the spill.
Seven associates were treated onsite by the facility’s wellness team for headache and shortness of breath, one person was transported to a nearby health facility but has been discharged.
There is currently no environmental impact according to the company.
Local first responders also were on scene but production resumed an hour later.
The full original statement can be found below:
This afternoon at Perdue Farms’ Washington, Indiana operation, a pallet being transported on a forklift tipped over causing an accidental chemical spill outside of the facility. The building, which included about 350 associates, was evacuated while Perdue’s onsite safety and environmental teams responded immediately to contain and clean the spill. The safety of our people is our top priority. Seven associates were treated onsite by the facility’s wellness team for headache and shortness of breath. In an abundance of caution, one associate was transported to a nearby healthcare facility for additional observation and has since been discharged. There is currently no environmental impact. The local fire department also responded to the scene, and production resumed within an hour.”
Mayor David Rhoads said in an email that the incident was contained by Perdue Farms at the wastewater department, diluted and he was told there has been continued testing on the site.
Original: At around 2:40 p.m. crews were dispatched to Perdue Farms in Washington, Indiana for a chemical spill.
According to the Washington Fire Department, the incident has been contained.
Washington Police Chief, Derrick Devine, said the spill was at the farm’s processing plant.
We are working to gather more details on if there were any serious injuries.
The farm is located at 65 South 200 West.
This is a developing story.
