One person was taken to hospital as a precaution following an industrial accident Thursday at the SGS Canada facility in the village of Lakefield, Ont., north of Peterborough.
According to the company, the incident was isolated to the hazardous material disposal unit at the facility. Details weren’t fully provided.
SGS Minerals Services’ Lakefield conducts metallurgical testing and analytical services to the mining industry.
Spokesperson Fulvio Martinez says upon discovery of a “chlorine like odour,” the SGS emergency response team was activated and the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labour, the Selwyn Fire Department, and Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough County-City paramedics were all notified.
Martinez says all employees were evacuated as a precaution. The one staff member who was taken to hospital for observation was expected to be released later Thursday.
Police on Thursday morning said they were initially called about a “smell” in the area and were called in to conduct traffic control on roads around the facility including County Road 33, Concession, Water and Oxford streets.
Peterborough County OPP stationed a cruiser at the intersection of Highway 28 to prevent access to County Road 33.
The roads were closed out of an “abundance of caution,” Martinez notes.
“After investigating, the Selwyn Fire Department released the building back to SGS where its hazardous materials technicians are conducting further testing,” Martinez stated. “No orders were issued from either the Selwyn Fire Department or the Ministry of Labour.”
Both the company and township noted the incident was confined to the SGS property.
“Residents are assured that this industrial accident is confined to the SGS property,” the township said. “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been notified. SGS is in regular communication with the Township.”
Peterborough police reported at 2:33 p.m. that all roads were reopened.