yesterday after a chemical spill at Number 8 dock left them feeling unwell.

The fire service was called to the freight shed just after 10 a.m. after several barrels of hydrochloric acid burst. A hospital spokesman said last night that the two workers had been released but was unable to give any additional information on their condition. Hydrochloric acid can cause respiratory problems such as hampered breathing.

The fire service responded with four appliances and 11 men, a duty officer and a principal officer.

Once on the scene, the fire service evacuated the shed and three officers in protective chemical suits proceeded to clean up the spill of some ten to 15 gallons of hydrochloric acid.

Sand was used to neutralise the acid and it was then cleared and put into barrels for disposal by the hazardous materials facility.

A small quantity of the acid was also found outside the shed and was cleaned away.

Stevedoring Services Managing Director Bruce Lines blamed the spill on poor packing, saying that other goods had been piled on top of the plastic bottles of acid which then tipped over.

Burning issue: Fire trucks and an ambulance attend the scene of yesterday's spill.

ENVIRONMENT ENV