NSW Flour Mill Fined $90,000 Over Hazardous Chlorine Gas Exposure
15 July 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
A New South Wales flour milling company has been convicted and fined $90,000 after workers were exposed to chlorine gas, highlighting the critical importance of robust WHS management systems and safe work procedures for hazardous chemicals.
Ben Furney Flour Mills Pty Ltd has been convicted and ordered to pay a $90,000 fine in the Industrial Court of New South Wales following a prosecution brought by SafeWork NSW.
The case relates to an incident on 23 February 2023, during which workers were exposed to chlorine gas while undertaking work for the company. The exposure placed workers at serious risk of harm and underscored deficiencies in the company’s work health and safety risk controls.
Ben Furney Flour Mills pleaded guilty to an offence under section 33 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, for failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers as required by section 19(1) of the Act.
The full judgment in relation to the matter has been published on the NSW Caselaw website. The company retains the right to appeal the sentence imposed by the Court.
SafeWork NSW has reiterated that effective risk management for hazardous chemicals requires clear policies, procedures and safe systems of work, supported by appropriate training and supervision. A structured WHS management system and task-specific Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) can assist businesses to identify hazards, assess risks and implement suitable control measures for chemical handling and storage. Resources to support such systems are available from specialist providers, including WHS management systems and SWMS templates.
SafeWork Commissioner Petrina Casey emphasised that risk control measures for hazardous substances are well established and readily available. She reminded PCBUs of their duty to provide a safe working environment for employees and contractors by maintaining awareness of hazards, conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing safe systems of work to prevent incidents such as chemical exposures.
Workers who are concerned about workplace health and safety can make anonymous reports to SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or via the Speak Up Save Lives online reporting platform. Businesses and workers can also access guidance material, tools and information on managing hazardous chemicals on the SafeWork NSW website.