A chemical spill at a New Mexico cheese factory leaves 20 workers injured, raising concerns about industrial safety protocols.
At a Glance
- 20 employees injured, 14 hospitalized after chemical spill at Southwest Cheese factory in Clovis, NM
- Equipment malfunction caused mixing of acid and chlorine, creating toxic gas
- Two employees in critical condition; no fatalities reported
- Emergency responders contained the spill; public assured of no ongoing danger
- Incident highlights need for robust safety measures in industrial settings
Chemical Disaster Strikes New Mexico Cheese Factory
An industrial accident at the Southwest Cheese factory in Clovis, New Mexico, has left 20 employees injured and raised serious questions about workplace safety. The incident occurred when an equipment malfunction caused the accidental mixing of acid and chlorine, resulting in the release of toxic gas. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 9:15 a.m., responding swiftly to what would become a significant hazardous materials event.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office reported that 8.67 gallons of acid mixed with 0.61 gallons of chlorine due to the malfunction. This dangerous combination created a toxic gas that affected multiple workers in the vicinity. Of the 20 employees injured, 14 required hospitalization, with two reported to be in critical condition. The incident occurred in the clean-in-place (CIP) room, an area typically used for sanitizing equipment in food processing facilities.
14 employees at Clovis cheese factory hospitalized after chemical spill https://t.co/U5mkgwrURY
— KRQE News 13 (@krqe) December 30, 2024
Swift Response and Containment Efforts
The Clovis Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team was quickly activated and deployed to the scene. Working in conjunction with local law enforcement and emergency medical services, they managed to contain the leak and isolate the affected areas. The New Mexico State Police also assisted in the operation, ensuring a coordinated response to the crisis, stated the Curry County Sheriff’s Office
Authorities were quick to reassure the public that the leak had been contained and that there was no ongoing danger to the surrounding community. This prompt action likely prevented a more widespread disaster and demonstrates the importance of well-prepared emergency response protocols in industrial settings.
Impact on Workers and Company Response
The injured workers were transported to Plains Regional Medical Center and Roosevelt General Hospital for treatment. While most sustained minor injuries, the critical condition of two employees underscores the severity of the incident. Southwest Cheese, which employs approximately 400 people and has been operational since 2005, issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to employee safety. “The health and safety of our employees is our top priority,” Southwest Cheese declared, as they began to address the aftermath of the accident.
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, though investigations into the cause of the equipment malfunction are ongoing.
Lessons and Looking Forward
This incident at Southwest Cheese, a facility that processes over 5.1 billion pounds of milk and produces more than 588 million pounds of cheese annually, serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers present in industrial food production. It highlights the critical need for rigorous safety protocols, regular equipment maintenance, and thorough employee training in handling hazardous materials.
For now, the community of Clovis and the employees of Southwest Cheese are left to recover from this alarming event, with hopes that lessons learned will prevent future occurrences of this nature. The resilience of local emergency services and the swift containment of the threat offer some reassurance, but the road to full recovery and improved safety measures lies ahead.
Sources:
20 injured after chemical mixture makes toxic gas at Southwest Cheese factory
20 Employees Injured in Chemical Spill at NM Cheese Factory
