A MEMBER of staff at the Dolphin Centre, in Bromsgrove, may face disciplinary action after a chemical leak caused the evacuation of the leisure centre, a council report has revealed.

In the first of two chemical incidents in six weeks before a fire forced the centre to temporarily close, staff and users had to leave the building after a leak in chlorine gas cylinders used to disinfect the pool.

Bromsgrove District Council's head of leisure services, Robbie Hazlehurst, said the duty officer was hospitalised as a result of exposure to the gas and has only recently returned to work. The investigation into the May 27 incident is continuing.

"It is clear, however, that the officer concerned did not observe the safety training he had received or observe signs requiring that a mask should be worn when entering the chlorine store. This may give reason for disciplinary action," he said.

An equipment malfunction caused the second incident on July 7, Mr Hazlehurst said.

Although the chlorination system has been independently inspected and declared safe, councillors on the recreation, amenities and tourism committee were last night deciding whether to implement safeguards at a cost of £10,000.

An automatic shutdown system for the chlorine cylinders and the conversion of the chlorine store to a 'gas-tight' room were considered.

The council has also organised a number of retraining courses for staff involved in the handling of chlorine.

Both incidents have been reported and are being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.