HANFORD, CA — A Hanford city worker was hospitalized for observation Wednesday after a chemical reaction occurred inside a garbage truck during a regular collection route.
The incident took place on February 4 near the intersection of East Lacey Boulevard and 9 1/2 Avenue. According to reports from YourCentralValley.com, the sanitation worker was emptying a bin when a chemical reaction began inside the back of the truck.
The worker reported smelling strong odors and seeing the substance react inside the vehicle. As a precaution, the driver was taken to a local hospital to be checked by doctors.
Emergency Response and Cleanup
The Hanford Fire Department responded to the scene to manage the situation. Since crews did not know what the chemical was, emergency responders called for help from the Visalia Fire Department hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team.
Specialized crews worked together to identify the hazardous material and clear it from the truck. Officials have not said exactly what chemicals were involved in the reaction.
Public Safety Advisory
Following the incident, the City of Hanford’s Solid Waste Division issued a public safety advisory to residents. The city warned residents not to put dangerous chemicals in their regular trash cans.
The advisory specifically noted that residents should not discard the following items in regular garbage:
- Liquid chemicals
- Hazardous creams
- Chemical gels
The warning aims to protect waste workers by reminding residents to take hazardous materials to special disposal sites instead of tossing them in the trash. Using proper disposal locations helps prevent unexpected chemical reactions during the collection process.
