AUTO PLANT REOPENS AFTER ACID SPILL

A St. Catharines, Ont., auto plant says it has been cleared to reopen after an acid spill sent up to two dozen of its employees to a Niagara Region hospital on Tuesday.

Approximately five litres of hydrochloric acid spilled at the THK Rhythm Automotive plant after contractors performing maintenance on a paint line system accidentally bumped a valve, creating a vapour cloud.

The plant’s human-resources manager Alison Griffin says external remediation teams were brought in to contain and remove remaining fluids and perform air sampling to ensure the plant was clear for employees to return.

She says all required investigations, both internally and by the Ministry of Labour, have been completed, with no additional orders issued by the ministry.

First responders have said three people were directly exposed to the hazardous material through inhalation and skin contact, and at least 20 other employees were exposed solely through skin contact with the vapour.

The Ministry of Labour said two of its inspectors attended the scene after it was notified of the spill and its investigation is ongoing.