Shropshire Star

HSE investigation continues into Oswestry Waste Paper spill

An investigation is still ongoing to try and establish how a chemical got into a recycling system and hospitalised seven workers.

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Emergency services

On December 7, seven workers at Oswestry Waste Paper on Maesbury Road were taken to hospital, after they reported to be feeling ill.

It was found that a chemical in a bale of waste paper had entered the site on Maesbury Road and had become airborne.

Seven people went to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, after emergency services were scrambled to the site.

Five were kept in isolation overnight and were released the following day.

Investigation

The Health and Safety Executive immediately launched an investigation and have said that it is continuing into the new year.

A spokeswoman said: "HSE is aware of the incident and making enquiries. We cannot comment further at this time.”

At the time of the incident, Neil Clarke, managing director of Recycling UK, which owns the Oswestry Waste Paper depot said the chemical had been inside a bale of waste paper which arrived on the site from a third party supplier in Birmingham.

He said: "A chemical substance was inside a bale of waste paper, and it had escaped and become airborne and affected seven staff.

"Five were kept in hospital overnight.

"The Health and Safety Executive is now investigating the matter and want to know how this from a third party supplier got into the recycling system."