Timing Vital in Saving Injuries at Chemical Plant Blast

The timing of yesterday's explosion at a drugs manufacturing plant in Rathdrum could have saved the lives or at least serious injury to many more than the two employees who suffered burns in the incident,

The Gate of the Schering-Plough plant

Wicklowtoday.com has learned.

The explosion occurred around 12-30 p.m. at the Schering-Plough plant just as many workers began to take their lunch breaks. There could have been up to five or six others in the area had the incident taken place minutes earlier.

The two men who were in the immediate area at the time, Fergal Olohan from Rathdrum and Pat Costello from Arklow sustained facial burns and were removed to St. Colmcille's hospital, Loughlinstown. It is understood that Mr. Olohan has today been moved to the burns unit in St. James's hospital.

Today, Schering-Plough said that there were no chemical leaks as a result of yesterday's fire and added that the damage caused was `superficial and minimal'.

It is understood, however, that windows in the unit were blown out by the blast, believed to have been caused by the ignition of vapour from chemical substances being emptied into a vat, while a large part of the inside was scorched.

It was the first major incident at Schering-Plough who are renowned for their safety measures. Up to £10 million of a £50 million extension to the plant some years ago was spent on safety precautions.

However, as a full investigation is underway into the cause of yesterday's blast, employees at the plant will now be looking for reassurances that there will not be a repeat of such an incident in the future.

The incident which was caused by a minor explosion in one of the factory units, occurred around lunch time on the bank holiday Monday. Two men were there at the time