Chemical leak as Riverview workplace evacuated

The daughter of an injured maintenance worker, whose quick actions potentially saved thousands of lives during a deadly chemical leak at an Ipswich slaughterhouse, has spoken out about his recovery.

The daughter of the maintenance worker injured while containing a deadly chemical leak at a slaughterhouse and processing plant said her dad’s quick thinking and heroic actions stopped the plant from exploding.

Thousands of workers were evacuated after a major ammonia leak in the cold room at JBS Food Australia’s Dinmore site at Riverview on Tuesday, November 29.

The emergency situation resulted in one worker being rushed to hospital with chemical burns, although two others were allegedly burnt, and another suffered heat stroke while being evacuated on a hot day.

Destiny Purins, the daughter of the hospitalised maintenance worker said her dad was doing well and was back at work the following day, however there were still risks associated with such a serious injury.

“After a few hours at the hospital he was released and the burn was treated with him having to keep a close eye on it and treating it at home as Ammonia burns are unpredictable under the skin and can be seriously dangerous,” she said.

JBS Meat Works at Dinmore. Picture NRM

Ms Purins said she was proud of her dad who was well respected in the community and always ready to help anyone in need.

“My dad has been working at the meatworks for over 20 years … he is such a well respected man and would do anything for anyone,” she said.

“My dad is such a great, kind loving man and his heroicness isn’t recognised as much as it should be.

“He discovered [the leak] as quick as possible and pretty much saved the whole plant from blowing up.

“That’s his job, that’s what he does along with all the other qualifications he has obtained over the years.”

The leak was reported to authorities at 11am after a large quantity of the harmful compound nitrogen and hydrogen, which is used to refrigerate rooms for slaughtered cows, leaked and caused a noxious gas to spread.

The pungent gas could be smelt hundreds of meters from the facility, and left between 1000-2500 evacuated workers at the mercy of the wind, with safety crews routinely forced to move workers to avoid the gas.

Evacuated workers leaving the site as refrigeration trucks roll in after the JBS meatworks chemical leak. November 29, 2022. Picture: Peta McEachern

Exposure to high concentration of the toxic gas causes one’s eyes, nose, and throat to burn which can lead to blindness, lung damage and death.

A lack of information caused confusion and worry to spread on site, as loved ones waited to pick up family members who should have finished their shift hours prior — but they couldn’t be contacted.

Afternoon and night workers started filtering onto the site for their shift and claim they were not notified by the company, although they could smell the issue.

One worker who had been waiting three hours in 30C heat said ammonia leaks were commonplace but he hadn’t seen one this bad during his 15-years on the site.

A number of cattle trucks with hundreds of lethargic beats on board were also at a standstill in the heat, unable to unload the animals destined for the slaughter floor.

Thousands of workers rushed to leave JBS meatworks after being stuck more than three hours after their clock-off time. Picture: Peta McEachern

A QFES spokesman said it took five hours to contain the leak before the scene was handed back to JSB at 4.30pm.

As QFES worked to isolate the leak, word came through to the night shift workers before 3pm that they needed to stick around as they may be required to work to clear out the spoiled carcass.

Disbelief, shock, and worry rippled through the workers who said the gas was difficult to get rid of completely as it absorbed into surfaces.

“This is bull shit, I’m not going in there,” one exclaimed.

“You’re joking?” said another.

“I don’t want to get sick.”

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, based in the US, “in the air, ammonia will last about one week”.

“Ammonia has been found in air, soil, and water samples at hazardous waste sites” a public health document reported.

Relived workers leaving site after being stuck more than three hours after their clock off time during the emergency situation. Picture: Peta McEachern

A JBS spokeswoman said “our people are our most important asset and their continued safety is a priority for JBS Australia”.

“Emergency services were in attendance and assisted with the management of the incident and the safe return of staff to work, and we thank them for their swift response.”

A workplace Health and Safety spokeswoman said the department was aware of the leak and was looking into the incident.

Earlier, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesman said the building was evacuated as hazmat crews and a senior scientific officer worked to contain the leak.

The Dinmore meatworks is the largest meatworks in the southern hemisphere and the Ipswich region’s largest employer.

According to JBS in 2021, about 3,400 cow carcass are processed every day.