Professional Services Laboratories responded to a hazardous incident in our local town that involved a spill incident at the GPM Chemical Facility. Professional services has a contract laboratory located within the facility to assist with environmental and safety sampling. On March 1, 2007 a spill occurred that involved methanol. It was the result of an employee who did not follow recommended procedures in the transfer of the substance from one container to another. The onsite industrial hygienist from Professional Services Laboratories responded to the scene of the spill within 5 minutes and initiated emergency and sampling procedures.
             The results of the sampling performed by Professional Services Laboratories revealed a short duration, high concentration exposure by inhalation in the immediate area of the spill. Due to the volatility of the methanol vapor, the explosive hazard and inhalation hazard dissipated within ½ hour after the spill.
             The employee was transported to the local area emergency room for care as a result of vapor exposure and skin contact. The hospital kept the employee for 48 hours observation and released him to go home. The plant has proper procedures and precautions in place to prevent such an incident. However, in this case, the protocols were not followed by the employee. Recommendations include further emphasis on the importance of accident prevention in the annual training refresher and initial safety training for new hires.
             On March 1, 2007 at approximately 2:36 PM EST, an incident occurred at the GPM Chemical facility that involved spillage of a 50-gallon container of methanol. The incident occurred as an employee attempted to transfer methanol from a 50-gallon container into a smaller 10-gallon container. The container was too heavy and the employee lost control of the container, resulting in the spill. The spill occurred outside in a designated drum storage area.
             The weather was clear an...