SASKATOON – Saskatoon Fire Department’s hazmat team was called out to a chemical leak at City Hospital today, and have now wrapped up, returning the scene to the hospital staff’s jurisdiction.
According to the fire department, at 10:27 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a chemical leak at City Hospital.
Upon arrival, fire crews were met by hospital staff to determine the location of the incident. The chemical spill was in a non-ventilated room. The crew isolated the area and directed people to their muster points.
The hazmat team was able to identify the substance as Rapicide, a hospital grade disinfectant, which was leaking from a machine. The hazmat technicians turned the machine off and cleaned up the leaked disinfectant. The room was set up for ventilation as the hazmat team moved contaminated materials into an over pack barrel and then transferred the barrel outside for further disposal. The affected area continues to be ventilated and the scene has been transferred to the City Hospital staff.
Four individuals were identified as being exposed to the chemical. As a precaution, the individuals were assessed by the firefighter paramedics and no injuries or illness were presented.
City Hospital’s emergency room remains open and operational.
