BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
UNION TOWNSHIP - Sixteen workers at Contract Packaging Inc. on Farr Court in Butler County were taken to area hospitals Tuesday after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes in the plant.
None of the workers was seriously hurt; all were treated and released at Mercy Hospital Fairfield and Bethesda North Hospital. Fourteen workers were complaining of headaches and nausea when fire crews were called to the company about 11:45 p.m., said Union Township Assistant Fire Chief Tony Goller. Two others were experiencing chest pain.
The fumes may have come from propane-powered forklifts and may have lingered because of decreased air circulation in the plant, Assistant Chief Goller said.
"Conditions were just perfect that the air wasn't moving in the building," Assistant Chief Goller said. "It's been two or three years since we had anything like this."
The Union Township Fire Department put a triage plan into effect minutes after being called, and hospitals were alerted to expect a large number of patients, Assistant Chief Goller said. Life squads from seven outside communities and two from Union Township transported victims.
More than 130 people were working in the building, Assistant Chief Goller said. The company packages products for other firms. Employees returned to work after the building was aired out and deemed safe, the assistant chief said.
"We don't know what went on, we have to (find) that out," said company president Wayne Gerding. "We're back in operation."
