Chlorine leak prompts evacuation

The state Occupational Safety and Health Administration office is investigating a chlorine leak at a North Charleston facility that sent an employee to the hospital Friday.

Communications and Governmental Affairs Director Jim Knight confirmed the investigation into the leak at Salisbury Electrical Safety. Inquiries typically take about six weeks to complete.

About 23 employees of the facility at 4295 Atlanta St. were evacuated for several hours because of the leak, North Charleston Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Phillips said. Everyone was out of the building when firefighters got the call at 9:13 a.m.

One man who was closest to the leak was experiencing respiratory problems and was taken to Roper St. Francis Hospital for treatment, Phillips said.

He referred questions about the employee to Salisbury Electrical Safety. No one from the company could be reached Friday.

It's unknown how the leak occurred, Phillips said. An employee was able to shut off a valve to stop the leak, and firefighters did a thorough check of the building. Employees were able to return between noon and 12:30 p.m., Phillips said.

Salisbury Electrical was formerly North Safety Products, according to a previous Post and Courier news article. It makes rubber products.