NATRIUM, W.Va. — At least 11 workers were injured in an industrial accident at the Axiall Corp. chemical plant Tuesday morning.
According to a statement from Axiall spokesperson Megan Wainzierl, 11 contract workers were injured as a result of an accident involving a coal-fired boiler at the plant around 7 a.m. Those employees were taken to several local hospitals for treatment.
The boiler in question has been isolated and shut down while the exact cause of the accident is under investigation.
Marshall County Emergency Management Director Tom Hart said the accident was called in at 8:17 a.m. Hart said the workers’ injuries ranged from burns to respiratory problems, and their conditions were not known late Tuesday.
“We’re on the understanding that a boiler ruptured, releasing steam,” Hart said. “There was steam and ash that was released.”
Tri-State Emergency Medical Services, Wetzel County EMS and the New Martinsville and Washington Lands fire departments all responded to the scene.
Atlanta-based Axiall manages the Natrium chemical production site along W.Va. 2 in Marshall County that once operated under the PPG Industries badge.
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