Modern workers suffer chemical burns while collecting garbage in Lewiston
POLICE: Workers sprayed by unknown liquid while collecting garbage.
By Rick Pfeiffer rick.pfeiffer@niagara-gazette.com
Jul 14, 2016
LEWISTON, NY -- Two workers from Modern Disposal suffered apparent chemical burns while picking up garbage Thursday afternoon in Lewiston.
The workers were collecting trash along Lower River Road near Joseph Davis State Park. After placing some trash in the rear of a garbage truck, the workers attempted to compact the debris, according to a Lewiston police official.
As the compacting machinery began to close down on the garbage, it smashed what was described as a "blue bottle" and a liquid sprayed out of the bottle. The workers were hit by the spray and began to feel a burning sensation on their skin.
A Hazmat team from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was called out and washed down the workers and decontaminated them before they were taken to a hospital for treatment.
It was unclear what the workers were sprayed with Thursday night. Attempts to contact the Niagara County Fire Coordinator's office were unsuccessful.
The injuries to the workers were described as non-life-threatening.
The accident led to the closure of Lower River Road at Joseph Davis Park while emergency responders attended to the workers and investigated the scene.