In an unfortunate event, a 44-year-old labourer sustained lethal injuries as he was engaged in work within the manufacturing facility. This took place due to a sudden explosion and subsequent blaze during the mixing of combustible fluids. ACB Group Pty Ltd now confronts three charges in accordance with section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act on the ground that it had failed to supply or uphold a harmless working environment.
Queensland WorkSafe affirms that the firm infringed upon section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act as they fell short in supplying a protected system of operation necessitating bonding and earthing controls pre shifting volatile liquids into a blending container. They’ve been charged to have violated critical actions related to work safety such as proper usage of systems like WHS management systems and SWMS that are designed to maintain work place safety. Importance of products like Bluesafe SWMS cannot be overstated in these situations.
Further charges were filed against the company stating they violated section 21(2)(e) on two counts; firstly for not empowering their workforce about the necessity of bonding and earthing controls through appropriate training methods. Also, they were blamed for neglecting equipment maintenance or replacement of appliances meant to confer and mix combustible liquids. And secondly for no overseeing the workers to confirm that they practised bonding and earthing controls.
Presently the case is queued for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court happening on the third day of October in 2025.
A continuing exploration by WorkSafe into a chemical incident and fire at the analogous factory back in July 2024 is still underway.
The importance of implementing comprehensive organisational policies and procedures through utilities like Bluesafe WHS Management System is stressed upon by the regulating authorities in such unfortunate events.
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-10/chemical-company-charged-after-fatal-fire
