In April 2014 I was brought to my knees after a release of sulfur dioxide gas (it was not known at this time what i had breathes in) while sealing the back of my tank under the loading gantry. First aid was called but seem to take ages, what seemed like 20 minutes went by so I left. Reported the incident to the weight bridge, phoned my company, their reaction was, “how are you now” I replied “better than 20 minutes ago” ok keep us informed. They told me to drive to the docks then load another tank with caustic. By mid day my throat had swollen and breathing still in gasps I told them I was going to the hospital. Went back to the yard informed my transport manager I was booking of to fo to the hospital he replied “why what’s happened” know one had informed him about the incident at 7 am that morning. I asked if someone could find out what I had inhaled, this was when I found out what the gas was. I was of work fri sat sun back in monday as they don’t pay sick. I was told when I asked about getting paid for being of on the friday…we don’t pay sick days. Ive never been asked to fill out an accident report or give a statement to our company. Have been asked questions by the company who had the leak.
I don’t believe my company have made any reports about this incident because they are iso and bmtrada registered and are worried they have not followed procedures, ive been told firstly they should not have let me drive or leave the site?
Has anyone had an insident similar to this and if so what procedures were applied?
It should have been recorded in the accident book at the company where the incident took place, not just reported to the weighbridge however given you’ve been asked questions by the company where the leak was at least they’ve acknowledged it. It also needs recording by the company you work for as this is something that could cause you problems in the future as follows.
I will say I think you were pretty stupid not to go to hospital straight away and instead try and continue driving. Whilst that is something that’s OK to do generally, when you’re working anywhere around chemicals and gases it is not. Sulphur Dioxide is very toxic, can burn the airways and can lead to a pulmonary edema (fluid build up in the lungs) which may not occur immediately and which can be fatal. It is also corrosive so the gas can burn the skin and eyes. I suspect given your breathing problems either you did get a build up of fluid on the lungs or your airways had got burned and were swollen as a result. IT COULD HAVE KILLED YOU. A single exposure to a high concentration can cause a long-lasting condition like asthma which can be triggered by cold temperatures and other chemicals so it is possible you may not have heard the last of this yet.
Your next port of call I’m afraid is a solicitor to lodge a claim against the company where the leak took place. As I said, you may not have heard the last of this and may not know you’ve any problems until we get to winter or you’re working with one of the trigger chemicals in the future.
Although I would never advise against taking legal advice there are a few things to consider:
Can you prove this even happened, I dont mean here-say or non credible witness’s whos may have memory issues - do you have any written documented evidence that you can prove ‘on the balance of probabilities’ that you had this accident.
Do you have copies of the hospital report, have you taken further advice about potential future health complications, did you fill in an accident report at your own company.
3.Why did you leave the site, not knowing the chemical involved is more reason to stay put and wait for First Aid assistance - in this situation and abulance would have been called (always insist on it as they keep records).
Did your own negligence contribute to this in anyway.
Sorry if this sounds a bit crass but these are some questions and more you will be faced with if going down the legal route, other implications like problems at work may follow.
Primary concern should be long term health so hopefully you will be visiting your doctor for regular check ups.
Sorry to hear about your accident
My advice is to call the Union immediately.
If not a member, call a solicitor.
If you don’t have one, I can recommend one
All the best and hoping you make a speedy recovery and are not left out of pocket.
this appears to me to be cows ■■■ from someone trying to make a claim for something that never happened
brought to his knees by toxic gas
was anyone else on site brought to their knees by this toxic gas
waited 20 mins for ambulance then decided to drive back
took weekend off then he was ok to continue working
green456:
was anyone else on site brought to their knees by this toxic gas :?:
It is quite possible for it to be a localised event, having being dispersed enough by the wind not to be concentrated enough to cause anyone else any issue. In the immediate area of the leak the air breathed in could be 100% sulphur dioxide whereas 20-30 ft away it could be a few parts per million.
SO2 is heavier than air so would drop and spread along the ground once momentum from the escape had been lost.
waited 20 mins for ambulance then decided to drive back :?:
took weekend off then he was ok to continue working
Years ago when I was young and stupid I got my hand crushed by a clamp truck at Watmaughs in Bradford as it was lifting a reel off the back of my wagon. You could see the cross hatch pattern on my skin and all the blown blood vessels in my fingers. Never went to hospital, just went to the first aid room, stuck it in a sink of cold water for 30 minutes, bandaged it up and drove home. I took a few days off work then went back with a bandaged up hand and a mate to open/close curtains and strap loads down which I needed to do for about a month. Years later I had cause to have my hand X-rayed and that showed healed breaks in every single finger.
Lots of us have done stuff that should’ve resulted in a trip to hospital but just gritted our teeth and got on with the job with the attitude “it’ll be nice when the pain wears off.”
