L&I investigating beverage company after two ammonia leaks this week
By Nina Culver ninac@spokesman.com
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries has launched an investigation into the Johanna Beverage Company at 5625 W. Thorpe Road after two ammonia leaks this week sparked evacuations.
An inspector was on site at Thursday afternoon, said L&I spokeswoman Elaine Fischer, but a complete report could take two months to complete. Johanna Beverage does not have any previous safety complaints on file, she said.
The first leak was reported Saturday evening and caused fire crews to evacuate homes and businesses within a third of a mile. Eight employees were sickened and one was taken to the hospital.
The second leak Wednesday evening was much larger and people as far north as Sunset Boulevard and as far east as Highway 195 were told to evacuate or shelter in place. Interstate 90 was shut down for nearly an hour. Only minor symptoms were reported and none required treatment, according to fire personnel on scene.
The facility makes juices sold under the Earth Wise, Washington Natural, Tree Ripe, Ssips and Citrus Sunshine brands, according to the company’s web site. A company representative declined to comment Thursday afternoon.
Staff , KREM 6:34 PM. PDT September 01, 2016
SPOKANE, Wash. --- Fire officials confirmed Thursday an ammonia leak from a commercial refrigeration system forced officials to temporarily close Interstate 90 on Wednesday night.
The leak shut down parts of the freeway for a few hours after an ammonia cloud was spotted near Geiger.
Officials said this was the second chemical leak at Johanna Beverage in the last week. A leak on Saturday sent one person to the hospital and forced the building to evacuate.
Officials from Fire District 10 said the first leak on Saturday released between 700 to 1000 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia. The second leak on Wednesday released between 300 and 600 lbs. of the chemical.
Fire officials said in a release that both leaks were due to malfunctioning equipment contained in the refrigeration room at the plant. They said the Wednesday release happened as repair technicians were beginning to start the refrigeration unit backup after making repairs related to the Saturday leak.
The company and Fire District 10 said they are working together on prevention measures. Joanna Beverage reportedly is installing a temporary, non-ammonia refrigeration unit while repairs are being made to the existing system.