HUNGRY Jack’s staff were evacuated for the second time in less than a week yesterday with emergency services responding to a reported gas leak at the store.
Employees at the fast food restaurant in Mount Gambier were critical of management after several staff said action should have been taken sooner when a gas leak was first noticed on Thursday.
But Hungry Jack’s issued a statement yesterday claiming appropriate procedures were followed.
While yesterday’s evacuation was a false alarm, Thursday’s incident was more serious with a technician “plugging” a gas leak around 12 hours after it was first noticed by staff.
Staff said it was not until they threatened to leave at around 5.15pm due to feeling unwell the Mount Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) was notified and the restaurant was evacuated.
The MFS attended the restaurant at around 6pm and confirmed the gas leak, which a staff member first complained about to management at around 5am.
“I was there for seven and a half hours breathing in gas, which made me pretty sick afterwards,” a staff member said.
“We were all telling management, but they just ignored it.”
The staff member said once the store was evacuated, relatives called ambulances for staff members who were feeling unwell.
Another staff member said the smell gave them a headache and said numerous complaints were made to management before action was taken.
Mount Gambier ambulance operations manager Andrew Thomas said a unit responded to the scene and attended to around 10 staff at the fast food restaurant.
“We assessed around 10 people who reported minor symptoms from gas inhalation,” Mr Thomas said.
“We didn’t transport anyone to hospital, but we treated a number of staff for hypoxia and advised them to seek further medical attention if any symptoms returned or continued.”
Mount Gambier MFS acting station officer Phil Wood said a gas leak was confirmed when MFS firefighters arrived on Thursday, however it had already been dealt with by a technician.
The second incident yesterday was deemed to be a false alarm by firefighters.
“We received a report of good intent there was a smell of gas,” Mr Wood said.
“On arrival there was found to be no leak, it seems the wind was just blowing in the right direction.”
Hungry Jack’s said in its statement to The Border Watch correct safety procedures were followed in both cases.
“Hungry Jack’s is aware of a reported gas leak that was assessed and rectified at its restaurant in Mount Gambier, South Australia, last week,” the statement said.
“On Monday this week, a second suspected gas leak was reported and immediately attended to by emergency services and a plumber.
“No leak was found and the store was reopened within 30 minutes.”
A WorkSafeSA spokesperson confirmed they had been notified of the incident.
“We will assess whether any further investigation is warranted,” a spokesperson said.
