GEA Farm Technologies (UK) Ltd fined after gas accident

A company that makes dairy and farm hygiene chemicals in Wiltshire has been fined after a large cloud of toxic gas was released into its factory.

The cloud of toxic chlorine gas spread through the GEA Farm Technologies (UK) Ltd factory, yard and surrounding area on Watery Lane, Bishopstrow near Warminster - resulting in staff needing hospital treatment.

On June 12, 2019, GEA Farm Technologies (UK) Ltd mistakenly mixed an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) containing approximately 700 kg of concentrated sulphuric acid into a mixing vessel which already contained 1,600 litres of sodium hypochlorite solution.