Lawson Grains fined $210,000 after worker injured in generator fire
21 Oct 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Lawson Grains Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined a total of $210,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW following a SafeWork NSW prosecution over a workplace fire that injured a worker.
The incident occurred on 11 December 2023 while a worker was collecting and analysing grain samples with a vacuum connected to a petrol-powered generator. A fire broke out when the worker attempted to refuel the generator using petrol from a jerry can.
Lawson Grains pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The offence concerned its failure to meet the duty under section 19(1) to ensure workers’ health and safety.
The company has the right to appeal the sentence. The full judgment is available on the NSW Caselaw website.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said: “Risk control measures when working with plant and fixed machinery are well known.”
Commissioner Schorer reminded businesses of their duty to provide safe workplaces for employees and contractors. She said awareness and assessment of risks, together with safe systems of work, were key to reducing workplace risk and harm.
Workers can raise workplace health and safety concerns anonymously with SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or using Speak up Save lives. Resources for business owners and workers on managing risks associated with plant, machinery and equipment are available on the regulator’s website.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that may need attention. Take the free WHS self-check