Alcoa has been fined $400,000 after workers and school students suffered burns from an uncontrolled release of caustic solution at its Kwinana refinery.
The company pleaded guilty in the Rockingham Magistrates Court this week to failing to ensure the health and safety of workers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA).
On the day of the incident in September 2022, a contract worker noticed a burning smell and found a pump was emitting smoke and debris.
He told his shift supervisor who then attended the scene with other workers.
The shift supervisor checked with the refinery’s control room to see if they could bring another pump online to replace the damaged pump.
A control room operator advised the supervisor they would need to change the pump within a short time frame due to potential production consequences.
The shift supervisor was aware the pump could explode if pressure built up.
Having opened a discharge drain valve, the shift supervisor left the valve to advise the work experience group, made up of high school students, to leave the area.
As he did so, another worker started changing over the pumps and pressed its start button unaware the discharge drain valve was still open.
This caused an uncontrolled discharge of hot caustic solution from the discharge drainpipe.
The caustic solution contacted a metal step in the open spoon drain which caused the liquid to spray out onto some of the workers and students.
Emergency response officers attended the scene and provided first aid to those affected before transferring them to the site’s medical centre.
WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the workers and students were extremely lucky not to have sustained more serious injuries.
“Companies must ensure all people at a workplace, including work experience students, are kept safe,” Ms North said.
“Companies must also have robust controls in place and ensure these controls are monitored so they continue to be effective.”
Construction set to begin on $6.2M Wellard community and sporting facility
Immersive hiking experience returns to Dwellingup
RSPCA WA urges pet owners to stop leaving dogs in hot cars after influx of reports
Police investigate Baldivis scrub fire
State Government increases stamp duty exemption threshold for first home buyers
Shire of Murray bids farewell to President David Bolt
Perth, Rockingham, Mandurah set for a week of hot weather
Mandurah Detectives advise public not to approach wanted man
Halls Head mother released on bail after lawyers appeal jail sentence over crash that killed twin daughters