SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
August 15, 2002
-----------------------------------
(Date of earliest event reported)
SAFETY-KLEEN CORP.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-8368 51-0228924
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Commission File No.) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
1301 Gervais Street, Suite 300, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
(803) 933-4200
----------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
---------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On August 15, 2002 the registrant, issued the press release filed with this
Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1. The information contained in Exhibit
99.1 is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
- ------------- -------------------------------------
99.1 Press Release issued August 15, 2002 (Filed herewith.)
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SAFETY-KLEEN CORP.
Date: August 21, 2002 By: /s/ James K. Lehman
--------------------------------
James K. Lehman
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ---------- -----------
99.1 Press Release issued August 15, 2002 (Filed herewith.)
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: John Kyte
August 15, 2002 803-933-4224
FIRE DESTROYS SAFETY-KLEEN FACILITY IN CLARENCE, NY
Clarence, NY - August 15, 2002 - A fire that began at approximately 10:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, August 14, 2002, destroyed a hazardous waste management facility
owned by Safety-Kleen (BDT) Inc., in Clarence, NY. The fire was contained
on-site and there were no injuries to facility employees or local emergency
responders.
The fully-permitted treatment, storage and disposal facility manages a variety
of hazardous and reactive wastes, including lithium batteries and compressed gas
cylinders, using both chemical and thermal treatment methods.
The fire began in the facility's lithium treatment area as employees were
engaged in normal operations to prepare a 55-gallon drum of lithium batteries
for thermal treatment. As the drum was opened, a fire started and employees
promptly activated the facility's contingency plan and called the Clarence Fire
Department.
The fire consumed the entire 12,000 square-foot facility, which was opened in
1990 and employs 38 people. Several buildings were destroyed, as well as the
facility's chemical analysis laboratory. Fire trucks remained on the scene until
approximately 8:45 a.m. this morning, and have since then been called back to
treat some minor hotspots.
Facility manager Timothy Van Domelen said teams of employees and environmental
specialists are currently at the facility monitoring and stabilizing the
situation, and beginning clean-up activities, including collection of all water
used by the Fire Department to contain the fire on the 12.5-acre site.
Waste materials remaining on the site will be re-packaged and managed at other
Safety-Kleen facilities. Waste materials destined for the Clarence facility will
be re-routed to other facilities, as well, and customers will be notified of
such activities.
"First and foremost, we are relieved that no one was hurt as a result of the
fire," said David Sprinkle, Safety-Kleen's Executive Vice President for
Operations. "We are also grateful to the Fire Department and other emergency
responders for their prompt and professional help, and we want to assure the
local community that we will take all necessary actions to fully and properly
clean-up the facility."
Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Safety-Kleen Corp. is the largest industrial
and hazardous waste management company in North America, serving more than
400,000 customers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.