Staff checked after depot spill

Staff were checked for symptoms linked to chemical exposure

About 60 parcel depot workers have been checked for skin and eye injuries after a chemical leak in Oxfordshire.

A box containing a chemical used in detergents was spilt at the UPS depot in Milton Park Industrial Estate, Didcot, at about 0800 BST.

Emergency services checked 40 staff who had been evacuated from the depot for signs of skin irritation and 20 early morning staff were recalled for checks.

About five staff were thought to have experienced "mild reactions".

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident was "not sinister".

Burning sensation

It erected a safety cordon and sealed off the area around the depot entrance.

Paul Molloy, Didcot fire station's manager, specializes in hazardous materials and said the substance had been identified as sodium disilicate - a powder commonly used in industrial detergents and cement, which is activated by water.

He said it had been spilt within the distribution centre and was an irritant if breathed in and could cause a burning sensation to the eyes and windpipe.

He said the worker's exposure had been limited and added: "I don't think there was anything sinister about this."

Fire crews said they were working with UPS to decontaminate the area.