TWO uranium miners thought they were going to die after fleeing to a "safe room" to escape a chemical leak.

They almost lapsed into unconsciousness as ammonia seeped into the room through the door.

Sources at Ranger mine said the room had a "safe house" sign on the door but had not been sealed properly for at least four years.

"They thought they would be safe, but weren't," a source at the mine told the Northern Territory News yesterday.

"For a moment, the blokes thought they were going to die."

The sub-contractors ran to the room after an alarm went off to warn of the ammonia leak.

Their boss was furious and gave Ranger's duty superintendent a dressing down.

"He's an ex-military man and just gave it to the superintendent," the source said.

"He was very professional - he didn't shout.

"But he let the superintendent know exactly what he thought about the shoddy safety standards.

"It was marvellous."

The men were treated at Jabiru health clinic on Tuesday.

On the same day, two other workers were sprayed with kerosene-contaminated water.

Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia refused to discuss the two accidents with the NT News.

Company spokeswoman Jane Hart said no interviews would be given until an investigation had been held - and added that there was no guarantee an interview would be granted after the investigation.

The company issued a statement saying: "The safety and wellbeing of our people is of paramount importance.

"Energy Resources of Australia Ltd is committed to its objective of achieving zero injuries. Safety is our most important value."

WorkSafe is investigating the accidents.