UPS: Workers back on job after hazmat call
Firefighters respond to a United Parcel Service facility in Uniondale early Friday after a 911 call reported a hazmat situation. The call reported the situation at the facility on Oak Street. (Dec. 6, 2013) Credit: Lou Minutoli
A United Parcel Service facility in Uniondale was evacuated Friday morning after a corrosive substance leaked from a package, causing odor and smoke, the company said.
Police and firefighters responded to the UPS facility on Oak Street, just south of Commercial Avenue, shortly before 6 a.m. after a 911 call reported a hazmat situation, UPS spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg said.
She said three workers reported minor health problems. One vomited and one complained of burning eyes, but the nature of the third complaint was not known, she said.
All were treated at the scene and returned to the building with other workers about 11:30 a.m. after local emergency officials gave the all-clear, she said.
Nassau County police were unable to provide any information about the nature of the hazardous material.
Rosenberg said UPS would be contacting the company that shipped the package to determine its contents.
"We're ramping back up our operations, and we'll be back out on the road soon," she said. She said the facility has about 300 employees, including about 200 drivers.
Firefighters from Uniondale, Roosevelt and other area departments responded.
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