Worker killed in ammonia leak at food processing facility in Norwood
NORWOOD - One man is dead, and another is in the hospital after an ammonia leak at a food processing facility on Morgan Drive in Norwood.
Truck driver Jarret Bennett could smell the ammonia while he was parked out back, making a delivery to Home Market Foods Monday morning. Once he heard the fire alarm and saw a man run out of the building, he knew something was wrong.
"Strong, strong, strong odor," Bennett said. "He was on his knees, vomiting blood. His shoulder is messed up, seemed like he fell off of something."
That man was rushed to the hospital and is now at Mass General Hospital getting specialized care. Another man was wheeled out on a stretcher, pronounced dead from the ammonia leak at the facility. The man who died has been identified as 68-year-old Richard Arguin of Dighton.
"It was very dangerous. We had to pull our people back. They tried to get to the victim that was left in there for quite a while," Norwood Fire Chief David Hayes said.
Home Market Foods said the incident involved HVAC contractors.
"As they were working, it appears an ammonia pipe was severed. One of the contractors was able to escape with injuries. Tragically the second contractor did not make it out and he died. Our hearts go out to his family. It is just so sad and horrific," the company said in a statement.
Dozens of other employees were evacuated from the fresh and frozen meat facility.
Investigators from the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, OSHA and the State Fire Marshal were at the scene all day. They say it's too early to tell what happened, but so far believe this was likely an accident.
"While the initial investigation, including review of video surveillance from within the facility, does not provide indications of foul play in the man's death, the investigation is in its very beginning stages," the Norfolk County DA's Office said.
It happened at about 11 a.m. Monday morning, but ammonia levels were so high, only hazmat teams have been inside the building. Firefighters and investigators will return Tuesday morning.
With ammonia levels 20-times of what would be considered deadly, shutting down the system without being able to get inside was a huge challenge.
"This is a hugely complex ammonia system for refrigerating all of these meatballs and chicken wings and things they make here," Hayes said. "We had the plans, but we have people who don't know the system that had to go in and try to deal with it."
About 150 employees were evacuated during the leak. None of them will be allowed back to work until the building is deemed safe.