TN: Minor ammonia leak at Chennai brewery, two workers affected
Chennai, July 25
Two workers at a beer manufacturing plant in Aranvoyal experienced mild vomiting and dizziness after a minor ammonia gas leak, authorities at the facility said on Saturday, adding that the leak was quickly contained and normal operations resumed.
Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are used during the beer bottling process at the facility near Tiruvallur while ammonia is reportedly used in the plant's refrigeration system.
These gases help preserve the beer's natural taste, maintain its foam and freshness, and prevent oxidation. Nitrogen is also used in certain premium beer varieties to create a smoother foam and to prevent oxygen from entering the bottles, thereby preserving the quality of the beer.
Ammonia is used for the cooling process in the brewery. Following the incident, the factory immediately alerted its in-house medical team, and all workers in the affected area were safely evacuated to another location.
The ammonia leak was quickly brought under control, preventing any further release of gas. The factory management confirmed that no one else was affected.
The two workers who experienced discomfort were treated by the factory's medical team, and normal operations have since resumed.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Yaar, ammonia leaks can be dangerous if not handled properly. Good thing the in-house medical team was there. But companies should invest in better monitoring systems to prevent even minor incidents. Safety first, profits second.
Impressive that they had an in-house medical team and evacuated the area quickly. This shows good emergency preparedness. Still, I hope a thorough investigation is done to prevent future occurrences.
This is why proper ventilation and gas detection systems are crucial in any industry using chemicals. Two workers affected is two too many. Glad it wasn't worse though. 🙏
Interesting how they use these gases for beer production. I never knew ammonia was used in refrigeration there. Hope the factory management takes extra precautions now. Workers' health should never be compromised for production.
Accidents happen, but the response time matters. In this case, they handled it well. However, I would suggest regular safety drills and better protective gear for workers handling such areas. Prevention is better than cure. 🍺
Glad it was minor and contained. But I do wonder - how often do these things happen? Companies should be transparent about such incidents. Workers' safety must be non-negotiable.
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