NSW Road Marking Firm Fined $120k After Worker Burned by Bitumen
19 June 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
A New South Wales road line marking company has been fined $120,000 after a worker suffered serious burns when struck by hot bitumen from a vehicle‑mounted melter, highlighting the critical need for robust WHS management systems and safe systems of work around mobile plant.
Capital Lines and Signs Pty Ltd has been convicted and ordered to pay a $120,000 fine in the Industrial Court of NSW following a prosecution by SafeWork NSW over a serious workplace incident involving hot bitumen.
The case stems from an incident on 3 February 2023, when a worker was seriously injured after being struck by hot bitumen discharged from a vehicle-mounted melter during road line marking activities. The incident underscores the high-risk nature of working with hot materials and mobile plant in road construction environments.
The company pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, for failing to comply with its primary duty of care to workers as required by section 19(1) of the Act. This duty includes identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective control measures through documented WHS policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
The full judgment, SafeWork NSW v Capital Lines & Signs Pty Ltd, is available on the NSW Caselaw website. Capital Lines and Signs Pty Ltd retains the right to appeal the sentence imposed by the Court.
SafeWork NSW has reminded businesses, particularly those operating in road construction and maintenance, that known risks associated with hot substances and mobile plant must be systematically managed. This should include appropriate WHS management systems, task-specific Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and regular review of controls to ensure they remain effective. Templates and tools to support these controls are available from specialist providers such as Bluesafe, including comprehensive WHS management systems and documented Safe Work Method Statements.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer emphasised that working with hot materials and mobile plant involves well-understood hazards that must be proactively controlled. She stated that employers are required to identify these risks and ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect workers, noting that awareness, risk assessment, and the implementation of safe systems of work are essential to reducing incidents involving moving plant.
Workers who have concerns about health and safety in their workplace can raise issues anonymously with SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50 or using the Speak Up Save Lives online reporting tool. Business owners and workers can also access guidance material, case studies and industry-specific advice on managing risks associated with mobile plant, vehicles and road construction activities via the SafeWork NSW website.