A man has suffered serious chemical burns at Canterbury's Westland Milk Products factory this afternoon.
St John Ambulance said the 55-year-old man was in a serious condition following the incident at Rolleston, shortly after 1.30pm today.
The man has been taken to Christchurch Hospital.
Plant spokesperson Steve Attwood said the contractor was working on the ultra-high temperature plant when he was burnt.
Staff immediately got the man under a water safety shower and provided early medical assistance, Mr Attwood said.
The plant will remain closed while the cause of the incident is investigated.