DOW Silicones has explained what to do in an emergency after many people were left baffled by the klaxons sounded out during the chemical leak incident in the Vale at the weekend.

It’s like something out of a disaster movie; residents hear a klaxon ringing and see in the distance a cloud of smoke rising from a nearby chemical plant – but that’s exactly what happened at Dow Silicones' site in Barry on the evening of Saturday, June 15.

Extraordinary photos show white smoke billowing out Dows’ industrial plant on Cardiff Road which the company has revealed was a small leakage of hydrogen chloride gas.

While there is no reported injuries to have come from the leak, what has arisen from the incident is a large amount of confusion as to what to do in emergency situations such as this.

Many people posted on Facebook asking what the klaxons coming from the chemical plant meant when they are sounded out.

One person wrote anonymously on Facebook: "One is a bit miffed. I've lived in Sully 25 years. In all that time I have never had any communication about the 3pm Monday practice sirens. Now that I have heard the real thing I cannot help but wonder, what if it was really serious and what if I didn't have access to social media. I feel the lack of communication is a bit shoddy."

At the time, Dow sounded out an intermittent three second klaxon, before, a little later on, a continuous siren of one minute was let out.

The company has gone into specifics as to what the klaxons mean, saying: “All companies on the complex have a klaxon which is activated in case of an emergency.

“A warning siren will sound on for three seconds and then off for three seconds.

“Upon hearing the Klaxon, residents should go indoors, close doors and windows and other outlets that draw in outside air and stay inside until the all-clear signal is given.

“The all-clear siren is a continuous siren tone lasting one minute.”

There was a large emergency response to the incidentThere was a large emergency response to the incident (Image: Sophie Denton)

Residents across Barry, Penarth and Dinas were told to keep their windows and doors closedResidents across Barry, Penarth and Dinas were told to keep their windows and doors closed (Image: Phil Baguley)

No injuries beyond nose and throat irritation in Dow's chemical leak incident

Barry, Dinas Powys, Sully and Penarth residents were advised to close doors and windows as a precaution on Saturday evening after a chemical leak at Dow Silicones' site in Barry.

Dow says no injuries in the community have been reported while an investigation is underway – something confirmed by Jane Hutt MS when she had a meeting with Dow staff on Monday, June 17.

Dows continues to update the community on the situation and in their latest statement they go into a little more detail about the leak.

A company spokespersons said: “During the afternoon of 15 June, Dow Silicones UK experienced a chemical release. 

“As a result of the release, a white cloud was visible above and around our production site. This cloud consisted of HCl (hydrogen chloride) gas.

“The cause of the release was quickly identified, and the release contained through immediate activation of emergency procedures.  

“The investigation shows the concentration of material was sufficiently low that exposure during the time of the release did not constitute a health risk, beyond possible temporary irritation to the nose and throat.

“There have been no resulting injuries on the site nor any reported to us in the community. The company is investigating the cause of the release and identifying measures to prevent this type of incident re-occurring in the future.”

Chemical hydrogen chloride leaked from the siteChemical hydrogen chloride leaked from the site (Image: Sophie Denton)

The leak could cause nose and throat irritationThe leak could cause nose and throat irritation (Image: Lee Macdonald)

What to do in an emergency: Dow Silicones UK Limited

The industrial complex where Dow Silicones UK Limited operate has various mechanisms to alert the surrounding community in case of emergency.

  • All companies on the complex have a klaxon which is activated in case of an emergency. A warning siren will sound on for three seconds and then off for three seconds. Upon hearing the Klaxon, residents should go indoors, close doors and windows and other outlets that draw in outside air and stay inside until the all-clear signal is given. The all-clear siren is a continuous siren tone lasting one minute. The sirens for all companies on the industrial park are tested every Monday between 3pm and 3:30pm to help ensure residents are familiar with their sounds and to ensure they function properly.
  • In addition, we encourage members of the community to register for our Warn & Inform telephone system, on-line via barry-registration.sendwordnow.eu/HomePage.aspx.  Registered users will receive safety information in the event of a major emergency.
  • During an emergency, a message line provides recorded status updates. This line can be reached on 020 3824 1912.
  • The Barry Industrial Complex issues a safety booklet detailing all information and hosts regular meetings with the Industrial Complex Community Advisory Panel. More information on both can be requested via phone at 0800 783 0187 or 01446 732350.