Skip to content

Northern B.C. container yard evacuated, closed after two employees sent to hospital

DP World is now investigating the incident at the Prince Rupert Fairview Container Terminal
9928336_web1_Fairview.Maersk.SL.49
DP World has halted operations at Fairview Container Terminal after an incident involving two employees on Dec. 21. (Shannon Lough / The Northern View)

DP World has suspended operations at Fairview Container Terminal after two employees were sent to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital with symptoms of respiratory irritation.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, leading to a complete evacuation of the site.

DP World, the terminal operator, issued a statement in the afternoon with no details about what chemical substance the workers came into contact with, only that they were “working in a specific area of the container yard” at Fairview.

“Thankfully they have been discharged within hours of their arrival. We continue to check on their well-being,” said the statement provided by Angela Kirkham, communications for DP World. Kirkham could not be reached for comment.

READ MORE: Fairview Terminal halts operations after incident involving 11 workers

“At this early stage we do not have any confirmed information regarding the cause of the incident, but our emergency response team is endeavouring to establish the facts and is working closely with emergency services to address the situation,” DP World said.

This is the second incident where DP World employees were sent to the hospital with respiratory irritation in the past five months. On Sept. 3, 11 employees were sent to the hospital and operations were halted at the container terminal. An external industrial hygienist was sent to the scene, and declared there was no hazard to the community.

It is unknown when operations will recommence.

READ MORE: Port experiences growing pains, causing Cosco and Maersk to divert cargo south



shannon.lough@thenorthernview.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter