Toxic Gas Leak at Plastic Company in Bolton

A man was rushed to hospital with chemical burns to his face and limbs after a toxic gas leak at a plastics company.

Fire crews responded to reports of a leak of hydrogen fluoride at an industrial plant on Lever Street in Bolton, at around 5:50am on Thursday.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said that a man in his 50s had suffered burns as he tried to connect a hydrogen fluoride gas cylinder to a pipeline. The Health and Safety Executive said it would be launching an investigation into the incident at Bolton Plastic Components Ltd.

Police described the man's burns as serious but said that his injuries were not life-threatening.

A spokesman for the fire service said:

"Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and chemical protection suits checked over the suspected leaking cylinder using litmus paper. Crews found that the cylinder was no longer leaking and was deemed safe.

"The casualty was taken to hospital by the ambulance service. The incident is now being inspected by health and safety investigators."

Bolton Plastic Components Ltd manufacture parts for car air conditioning and ventilation systems.

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