4 hurt after machine malfunctions at Maryland McCormick & Co. plant
Four people were injured after a machine malfunctioned Monday afternoon at a McCormick & Co. plant in Baltimore County, according to the fire department.
Three of the employees suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and one was flown to Shock Trauma with serious injuries, officials said.
The incident happened around 2:45 p.m. at the Hunt Valley plant on McCormick Road. A hazmat team was called to the scene.
Officials said there was no threat to the community. The nature of the machinery malfunction is unclear.
In a statement, a spokesperson for McCormick said the company is aware of the equipment malfunction and the four injured employees are receiving care.
"The health and safety of our employees is our #1 priority," the company said.
The company said all employees were evacuated and operations were cleared to restart at 6 p.m.
In a company memo obtained by WJZ, McCormick said the equipment remains out of service, and an investigation is underway. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) administration is also investigating the incident.
The company added that it will complete any "corrective actions" before operations resume in the affected area.
According to McCormick, the building was immediately cleared and emergency protocols were activated after the malfunction was reported.
WJZ spoke with a fire engineering expert who said a hazmat response at a plant that makes food and spices is rare.
"When I look at this, it looks like kind of light industry. It's not a refinery with big tanks of liquid methane, liquid natural gas, so the hazard level seems like it would be pretty low, and maybe that's part of why this was so dangerous. Something happened that they weren't really expecting," said Peter Sunderland, Professor of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland.
