Man suffers burns after falling into caustic soda

A man suffered burns when he fell into a boiling chemical solution at a food factory. 

The 37-year-old man had burns to his legs and back when he fell into a quantity of caustic soda at the McCormick Europe Ltd factory, in Littleborough.

He was treated by the on site chemist before being taken by ambulance to Rochdale Infirmary following the incident, just before 7am yesterday morning.

He was later admitted to Royal Oldham Hospital to be treated for burns.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said a fire crew from Rochdale and a specialist chemical unit from Hyde attended the incident at the food manufacturing factory, on Whitelees Road.

A spokesman said: "A man has fallen and was covered in the solution. He suffered heat and mild chemical burns to his back and legs. It was a boiling solution containing one per cent caustic soda.

"There was no danger to anyone else."

Caustic soda, also know as lye, is a corrosive substance often used as a cleaning agent.

The chemical was was being used to flush through food preparation areas at the factory.