ELEVEN workers were given precautionary hospital treatment after a chemical spill at a Blaenavon factory.

Now the Health and Safety Executive has been called in to investigate the incident at the Doncasters group plant on Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate.

They have asked the company to provide a full incident report and say their investigation is underway.

The incident happened shortly before 12.30pm on Tuesday, and involved the spillage of hydroflouric acid.

The firm said its emergency team and staff worked closely with the fire service, Torfaen council and the Environment Agency to assess and "immediately" contain the spill and start a clean-up operation. The spillage was contained by 3pm.

Firefighting crews from Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, Blaina, and Cwmbran, as well as specialist units from Abercarn, New Inn and Whitchurch attended the incident after being alerted at 12.24pm.

Gwent Police also attended the scene.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fireservice said officers wearing protective suits cordoned off the area and dealt with the spillage.

A similar incident occurred two years ago at the plant, which manufactures engine blade components for the aircraft, automotive and power industries.

The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed 11 people were taken to hospital following the incident.

They have since been discharged.

Although no contamination was detected it is understood precautionary treatment of an antidote gel was administered, as is standard for incidents involving hydroflouric acid.

A Gwent NHS Healthcare Trust spokesman said: "Patients were brought into the Royal Gwent Hospital & Nevill Hall Hospital from this incident.

"As no contamination was detected they were discharged and given instructions for observation.

"Our usual procedures for dealing with a chemical incident were put in place to protect for the safety of other patients and our staff."

Hydroflouric acid 'extremely dangerous' Hydroflouric acid is extremely dangerous, but symptoms do not always show up immediately, which can delay treatment, which is likely to be why workers were taken into hospital as a precaution.

Calcium gluconate gel is often applied as a preventative antidote if there is any risk the patient's skin has come into contact with hydroflouric acid.

The acid has a boiling point of just 19.5 degrees, so there is also a strong risk of inhalation where spillages occur.