12 Jun (NucNet): The US Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) said today that a worker was treated for slight injuries after a fire at the site, but that there was no radiological release as a result of the incident.
An initial statement from INL, released shortly before 14.00 local time, said the worker was pouring about one ounce of red phosphorus powder, working in a laboratory fume hood in a laboratory at the site’s Reactor Technology Complex, when the material ignited. The worker was taken to an onsite medical facility suffering from minor burns and inhalation injuries.
Another 36 workers in the vicinity of the laboratory were examined as a precautionary measure and all workers at the facility were accounted for.
INL said its own fire department extinguished the fire and is continuing to monitor the situation. State, county and other officials were notified and INL is gathering further details about the incident.
