No information forthcoming on Chemifloc incident

THE Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have said that it is too early for it to release information on the incident at Chemifloc, which happened just before Christmas.

Information had been sought by Shannon Town Council but at this week’s meeting of the body a letter from the HSA outlining the position was presented.

The letter, from Inspector Dermot O’Callaghan, stated, “Shannon Town Council have requested a copy of the prevention report into the incident at the Chemifloc facility in Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Clare on December 20, 2012.

“The Health and Safety Authority is currently carrying out an investigation into this incident. Unfortunately Section 73 of Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 prevents the provision of information on an active health and safety investigation.”

In a separate letter to the council, Chemifloc stated it wouldn’t be appropriate to provide some information that the council had requested.

“With respect to your request dated 26 February 2013 looking for our incident report for the incident dated December 20 2012; given that Chemifloc Ltd is an IPPC licensed facility it would be more appropriate for this information to be provided by the EPA.”

Councillor Cathy McCafferty said that one of those hospitalised in the incident had found going back to work very difficult.

“I know some of the people who were hospitalised as a result of this incident. One person was so traumatised after spending Christmas in hospital that she had to be accompanied back onto the site when she returned for work.”

She criticised statements made by council officials following the incident.

“What I found objectionable was Clare County Council’s willing participation in propagating the company line after the incident. I refer to the chief fire officer’s statement, based on advice given by Chemifloc representatives, that the incident did not pose any risk to public health. We know that eight people were hospitalised and five spent their Christmas in hospital, so this statement was neither true nor accurate.”
Councillor Mary Brennan was critical of Chemifloc for not providing information after the incident.

“They went public with the knowledge but afterwards it was as if it had never happened. We should get some update,” she commented.

An EPA officer should come to a meeting of the Council to address local concerns, Councillor Sean McLoughlin claimed.

He said that when workers are moving toxic materials there should be an independent safety officer present, to make sure things are done properly and safely.

Councillor McLoughlin noted that an inspector didn’t come to Chemifloc until the day after the incident, despite the seriousness of it.

Labour party Councillor Tony McMahon said that local people should be fully informed about what had happened, what the likelihood of a repeat is and what has been done to address the situation.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy said that the current system is flawed as the responsibility of local authorities stops “at the perimeter fence” of companies such as Chemifloc.