Six prohibition notices issued over Snowy Hydro 2.0 ventilation fans
10 Mar 2025•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW inspectors have issued six prohibition notices to stop the use of unsafe ventilation fans at Snowy Hydro 2.0 after a dangerous incident on Tuesday 25 February.
Inspectors identified unacceptable safety risks during a visit to the project following the ventilation fan incident. The notices were issued to protect workers by halting the use of unsafe fans.
SafeWork NSW acting Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin also visited the site earlier in the week following recent safety concerns and several improvement notices. His visit formed part of regular bimonthly meetings to discuss concerns raised by workers and health and safety representatives about safety at the project.
Curtin said SafeWork NSW had spoken with management, health and safety representatives and workers during the week and received reports of two dangerous incidents, one over the weekend and another on Tuesday.
He said he had been advised that one incident involved a crane malfunction, while the other involved a ventilation fan failing and throwing out metal debris. The investigation identified that other fans were also at risk. No one was hurt.
“These are significant safety events and it is lucky that no one was hurt.”
Curtin said the unsafe ventilation fans could not be used until inspectors were satisfied they would be operated in a safe condition.
How Blue Safe can help: Our WHS platform can help your business organise incident reporting, inspections and safety records in one place, supporting ongoing management of workplace risks. See Blue Safe WHS software