Two Workers Suffer Burns While Cleaning Inside Large Tank at Paju Chemical Plant

Authorities are investigating an incident at a chemical manufacturing plant in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where two workers suffered burns while cleaning the inside of a tank.

Provided by Gyeonggi-do Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters

According to the Gyeonggi-do Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters, at around 10 a.m. on September 3, a man in his 50s and a man in his 60s were injured while cleaning a tank at a hazardous materials handling facility (hazardous chemical handling facility) located in Changman-ri, Gwangtan-myeon, Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

Mr. A, a man in his 50s who was inside the tank, suffered burns over his entire body, while Mr. B, a man in his 60s who was assisting near the entrance, sustained burns to his wrists, face, and other areas and was transported to the hospital.

This plant handles hazardous chemicals and manufactures products such as thickening agents (substances that increase the viscosity of solutions). The workers were reportedly removing residue from inside a large tank at the time of the accident.

An official from the fire department stated, "Further investigation is needed to determine whether there was an explosion inside the tank or if the burns were caused by exposure to chemicals."