Two FedEx workers have been rushed to hospital with acid burns following a dangerous chemical spill at the company's Unanderra facility in the Illawarra region.
Emergency Response to Industrial Incident
The alarming incident occurred around 8:30am on Monday, November 10, 2025 at the FedEx industrial site on Prince of Wales Avenue. Specialist HAZMAT firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene after reports confirmed a sulphuric acid spill inside a delivery truck.
According to emergency services, approximately four litres of the highly corrosive acid leaked within the vehicle, resulting in injuries to two male employees. A worker in his 50s sustained burns to his legs, while a younger colleague in his 20s suffered arm injuries.
Workers Hospitalised with Chemical Burns
Both affected employees received immediate medical attention at the scene before being transported to Wollongong Hospital for further treatment. A NSW Ambulance spokesman confirmed the injuries have been classified as "minor trauma", providing some relief amid the concerning circumstances.
Fire and Rescue NSW HAZMAT teams worked diligently to secure the area, removing acid-affected items from the truck and neutralising the dangerous spill to prevent further risk to workers and the environment.
Second Acid Spill in Region
This incident marks the second sulphuric acid spill in the Illawarra region within days. The same HAZMAT unit had previously responded to a separate chemical spill in Bolong, near Bomaderry, on Saturday, November 8.
That incident involved approximately 500 litres of sulphuric acid that had escaped from a broken pipe at a water treatment plant on Harrigans Lane. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during that cleanup operation, which took firefighters two hours to complete.
Sulphuric acid is a colourless, oily substance considered one of the most important industrial chemicals worldwide. Its highly corrosive nature means exposure can cause severe chemical burns, making proper handling procedures critical in workplace environments.
The Illawarra Mercury has contacted FedEx for comment regarding the incident and the company's chemical handling protocols. Workplace safety authorities are likely to investigate the circumstances surrounding both recent acid spills in the region.
