JDSU to Reopen After Spill

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 6, 2006 -- JDSU is expected to resume operations today after an apparent hazardous materials spill occurred at its fiber-optic components plant Friday in San Jose, said Kevin Kennedy, president and CEO, in a statement issued that day. According to the statement, the cause of the incident was still uncertain.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that nineteen people, including four San Jose firefighters, received medical treatment after "employees at a clean room at JDSU, at 80 Rose Orchard Way, noticed something that smelled like burning rubber shortly after 9 a.m. and called for emergency help."
Thirteen workers were taken to local hospitals Friday, some as a precaution, but six had been released by that afternoon. One worker was reportedly kept overnight. Capt. Michael Shaw of the San Jose Fire Department told the Chronicle that firefighters could not find or identify the hazardous substance, so the building was sealed until hazardous materials inspectors could finish studying it.
Kennedy said in the statement, "What we do know is that, in accordance with our well-established plans, our emergency response team and local authorities responded to a facility event, which caused 12 of our full-time employees to be transported to local hospitals and the remaining employees at the facility to be temporarily quarantined while an investigation was conducted. Eleven of those employees have now been released and have returned to their homes and families. One employee remains in the hospital tonight under observation. In addition, the quarantine has been lifted and the facility has been released to our control as we end the day."
He said local fire department, hazardous materials teams and hospitals conducted a number of tests and no evidence of any contamination had been found as of Friday.
"Accordingly, we are expecting to resume operations at the facility on Monday, March 6," Kennedy said. "We will of course be resuming such operations in a controlled and deliberate manner, with the safety and health of our employees being of paramount concern. We currently do not expect this incident to materially adversely impact our business."
For more information, visit: www.jdsu.com