Gas leak threat

By Lia Bichel
A DANDENONG South factory was evacuated on Monday morning when a gas detector sensed a potentially dangerous chemical leak.
Glassworks managing director Michael Gleeson said the company’s alarm sounded shortly after 8am, and subsequently, about 30 staff left the Dandenong-Frankston Road premises.
Dandenong fire officer Josephine Sensi said about 15 firefighters from Dandenong and Hallam had to tend to the leak, believed to be from a sulfurdioxide cylinder.
“It has the potential to be very serious, but all personnel followed the correct procedures and worked well together,” Ms Sensi said.
“It was controlled and calm. Everyone’s safety was paramount.”
Ms Sensi said firefighters had to wear gas suits, which covered their skin and their breathing apparatus. They then had to locate and isolate the cylinder, which took about four hours to complete.
“It was a lengthy and complex process. (Glassworks) detector sensed high levels, but when we got in there with our detectors- most of the time there was no gas detected. At one point, when disconnecting the cylinder, there were really low levels detected,” she said.
“This type of incident is quite unusual, but because there is so much industry in Dandenong, we are well trained and prepared and we have specialist equipment.”
Ms Sensi said a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) detection vehicle, one of only three in the state, was used to help recover the cylinder.
She said fortunately no one came in contact with the gas which, she said, had the potential to cause sudden respiratory distress.
She recommended decontamination in the event of contact with the gas.
An ambulance was on scene and paramedics were performing health checks and assessments during the incident.
Mr Gleeson said this was the first time the alarm had detected a gas leak.
“(Fire crews) couldn’t really find anything,” he said. “Anything that was detected was at very low levels- about 2 parts per million,”
He said staff were allowed to get back into the building about 10.30am and continue with normal operations.