Update: Swift response of incident management team helps contain fire quickly at Interwaste
Interwaste speaks about fire at Germiston facility.
Interwaste has confirmed that a fire, not a chemical explosion, took place at their facility in Germiston on Tuesday.
Kate Stubbs, director of business development and marketing, said, “Interwaste confirms that a fire took place at one of our waste recycling facilities at around 8am this morning.
“Through the quick response of our incident management team, the fire was contained within 20 minutes, prior to the arrival of emergency services.
“Our first priority in all our operations is the safety and well-being of all employees who may be affected directly and indirectly by any incidents.
“Regrettably, four of our employees were injured by the fire this morning.”
Stubbs added that each employee received immediate medical attention from the on-site safety and first aid officers, and were subsequently transported to private medical facilities where they are receiving further treatment.
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In addition, all other employees indirectly affected are receiving trauma counselling and any other support that may be required.
“The Department of Labour has been informed of the incident in terms of occupational health and safety procedures, and we will be cooperating with all relevant authorities as required.
“A comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire is currently being conducted, in order to prevent the recurrence of such an incident,” Stubbs said.
“We also want to thank our on-site health and safety, firefighting and first-aid teams for their immediate action to contain and extinguish the fire, and their professionalism and compassion displayed in attending to the care and stabilisation of injured employees.
“The conduct of the Interwaste emergency response team was also commended by the specialist private medical team that arrived to take over and proceed with further treatment intervention and transportation to medical facilities.”
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