OilVoice - Serious Accident at the Total Petrochemicals Plant in Gonfreville, France

Serious Accident at the Total Petrochemicals Plant in Gonfreville, France

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

A serious accident occurred at the Total Petrochemicals plant in Gonfreville, France, at 9:14 a.m. on August 4 when, for reasons as yet unexplained, an empty sulfuric acid tank overturned during repairs. A Total Petrochemicals employee and two contractor employees were injured, two seriously.

Supported by the local fire and emergency services, Total Petrochemicals’ emergency responders provided first aid and transferred the injured to hospitals in Le Havre. One of three was discharged from hospital yesterday afternoon. Eight other people in a state of shock were treated at the site clinic, with the help of the firefighters.

The accident scene was secured by the teams. There is no threat to the environment. As a precaution, work being performed nearby was halted.

Total wholeheartedly support the employees and families affected, share their concern and are closely monitoring the condition of the people injured.