A chemical spill at a New Mexico cheese factory leaves 20 workers injured, raising concerns about industrial safety protocols.
At a Glance
- Chemical spill at Southwest Cheese factory in Clovis, NM injured 20 employees
- Equipment malfunction caused mixture of acid and chlorine, releasing toxic gas
- 14 workers hospitalized, with two in critical condition
- Emergency responders contained the leak, ensuring public safety
- Incident prompts review of factory safety measures
Chemical Spill Strikes Southwest Cheese Factory
An industrial accident at the Southwest Cheese factory in Clovis, New Mexico, has left 20 employees injured and sparked a thorough investigation into workplace safety protocols. The incident occurred approximately 8 miles south of Clovis when an equipment malfunction led to a dangerous chemical reaction, releasing toxic gas into the facility.
Emergency services were alerted to the scene around 9:15 a.m., responding swiftly to contain the hazardous situation. The Clovis Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, along with local law enforcement and medical personnel, were dispatched to manage the crisis and tend to affected workers.
14 employees at Clovis cheese factory hospitalized after chemical spill https://t.co/U5mkgwrURY
— KRQE News 13 (@krqe) December 30, 2024
Details of the Chemical Reaction
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office provided specifics on the chemical spill that led to the release of toxic gas. “It was learned that 8.67 gallons of acid spilled and was mixed with .61 gallons of chlorine due to an equipment malfunction,” Curry County Sheriff’s Office said. This dangerous combination occurred in a clean-in-place (CIP) room, typically used for sanitizing equipment in food processing facilities.
The resulting chemical reaction produced a hazardous gas that affected multiple employees in the vicinity. The quick response of emergency teams was crucial in preventing further exposure and potentially more severe consequences.
Impact on Workers and Response
Of the 20 employees affected by the chemical spill, 14 required hospitalization. Two workers were reported to be in critical condition, while others sustained minor injuries. The injured were transported to Plains Regional Medical Center and Roosevelt General Hospital for treatment.
The company has established an incident response team to work alongside local emergency services and relevant authorities. By late morning, the site had been assessed and cleared to resume production, indicating the swift and effective containment of the hazardous materials.
Safety Measures and Public Reassurance
Local authorities have been quick to reassure the public about the containment of the chemical leak. “The leak was contained, and the public is not in any danger,” Deputies said. This statement aims to alleviate concerns about potential wider environmental or health impacts beyond the factory premises.
Southwest Cheese, a significant employer in the region with approximately 400 workers, has been operational since 2005. The facility specializes in manufacturing hard cheeses and whey products, processing over 5.1 billion pounds of milk annually. This incident has undoubtedly raised questions about the safety measures in place at such large-scale food processing plants.
