05:52 pm, Tuesday 14 September, 2010

An explosion in a Laverton North factory has led to an emergency evacuation of workers in the site and nearby establishments and has led to the hospitalisation of a man earlier today.

Up to 100 people had been evacuated, including 45 factory workers and others from surrounding businesses after 30 litres of ammonia leaked into the Oxford Road in Melbourne’s west.

A 53-year-old who inhaled gas was admitted to a hospital as a precaution.

Officials say the explosion of an ammonia cylinder may have been caused by the mixing of chemicals.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade’s Ian Monroe said other cylinders have been secured.

“We have identified and isolated the cylinder with the split in it,” he said.

“We’re just allowing the residual product in the cylinder, which is ammonia, to vent off.”

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know