Worksafe sent inspectors to the site of a gas explosion at a healthcare waste processing facility which left one employee doused in what is believed to be medical waste.
The worker was washed down by fire hoses in Dunedin’s industrial area yesterday morning following a reported explosion at Interwaste in Ward St, which handles waste for healthcare facilities and "biosecurity risks".
A WorkSafe spokeswoman said it had been notified of the incident and inspectors were making their initial inquiries to determine the circumstances.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said it received a report of a boiler exploding and a gas leak at the premises.
He confirmed one person had been decontaminated after getting "debris" on them, believed to be medical waste.
A witness said a worker was stripped and washed down by firefighters using hoses.
Multiple crews attended, about 25 firefighters, the spokesman said.
"Cordons are in place, and we are being assisted by Genesis Energy and the facilities management team," he said yesterday.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said it was notified of a chemical incident in Ward St at 8.38am.
One person was transported to Dunedin Hospital in a minor condition, they said.
A hazardous chemical notice is posted on the fence outside the Ward St building.
The company did not respond to requests for comment.
