Without conviction, Buller Wines Pty Ltd faced sentencing today in the Wodonga Magistrates’ Court, resulting in orders to reimburse costs amounting to $4,015. The corporation had previously confessed to two charges: One for its failure to bestow necessary information, instruction and training to ensure employee safety at work, and another for neglecting to safeguard persons outside of their employment from health and safety risks.
In an alarming incident that occurred in April 2022, 11 customer participants were involved in customised gin making at the company’s distillery on Three Chain Road. A large-scale disaster transpired when a copper pot still of 330 litres burst, sending a fireball into the air that set the vicinity floor ablaze. This emphasises the need for effective WHS management systems like Bluesafe WHS Management System, vital for reducing such unforeseen hazards and ensuring work safety.
Following the terrifying ordeal, injuries were sustained by two employees and six customers. One patron was hospitalised and treated for severe burns he suffered on his face, forearm and neck. Other injuries varied with burns reported on legs and lower backs, alongside minor bruising, singed hair, anxiety, headache, ear pain and ringing ears.
The reason for the explosion? A mismatch in quantities of water and heating elements; insufficient water failed to cover the heating elements in the still. Moreover, fire touched ingredients added by participants, which induced ethanol vapours triggering the explosion. It was only after this event that the necessity of proper information regarding the risk of an ethanol explosion and appropriate training and checking procedures or an SWMS such as Bluesafe SWMS became all too apparent. These instructions should have been provided firstly on how to prepare the required ratios of water to ethanol and secondly ensuring that the initial mixture submerged all heating elements entirely.
This mishap was led by the firm’s assistant winemaker who, unbeknownst to small batch distillation, had separate recipe and run sheets setting out distinct water and ethanol amounts. Sam Jenkin, the Executive Director of Health and Safety of WorkSafe, has underscored the pivotal role that communication of hazards and proper training for machinery usage play in keeping workplaces safe.
Employers who turn a blind eye to identifying dangers and fail to advise their employees about risk control measures are playing a risky game. Between avoidable and communicable, these incidents fall firmly into the former category if adequate safety procedures are in operation and communicated effectively.
Mr Jenkin stated: “Eventually, not taking precautions will lead to something going wrong.” He further emphasised, “This case was a horrific example of what could go terribly wrong when the risks are not managed.”
When it comes to working with machinery, use of suitable policies and engaging a robust compliant management system is highly beneficial in managing risk.
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-10/50000-after-gin-distiller-explosion-injures-eight-people