SECCRA - 20070727

20070727_incident July 27, 2007

Statement by William Stullken, general manager of the SECCRA Community Landfill

At approximately 8 a.m. today, a commercial hauler brought in a load of waste in a roll-off container. Our crew was pushing the waste into place at the working face of the landfill when a plume of white smoke, acrid fumes, and heat emanated from the trash.

We responded immediately by implementing our “PPC Plan” (Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan) and by calling the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Chester County HazMat Team. Two State Police cruisers arrived first and secured the scene. Members of the HazMat Team arrived shortly thereafter and began isolating the trash.

Two of our employees who were operating compacting equipment said they felt unwell and, as a precaution, we asked that they be transported by ambulance to Jennersville Regional Hospital for observation. Both employees were later discharged from the hospital.

We closed the landfill to all commercial haulers until the situation was resolved. The drop-off area for small vehicles was not near the affected area and remained in operation.

By backtracking from the hauler to the company where the waste originated we were able to determine that the load apparently contained several drums of Potassium Hydroxide, a substance that should not have been disposed of at our facility.

By 11 a.m., the Chester County HazMat Team, under the command of battalion Chief Bob Klukentz, had isolated the drums and controlled the situation, and the landfill had returned to normal operation.

The company from which the drums originated has been notified that we will hold it responsible for the costs of the clean-up, and proper disposal of the drums.

We wish to thank the Chester County HazMat Team, local fire companies and the State Police for their prompt and effective response.