Company fined over Ettamogah blasting incident

Company Fined Over Ettamogah Blasting Incident

A company has been convicted and fined $300,000 for breaching the WHS Act following a blasting incident north of Albury more than three years ago. This case highlights ongoing construction safety concerns tied to blast operations near populated areas.

The company was also convicted and fined $12,000 at the District Court of New South Wales for failing to notify the Regulator of the incident. Prompt reporting remains a critical safety obligation under work health and safety legislation.

What Happened During The Ettamogah Blast Incident

The convictions relate to an April 2018 incident, where members of the public were forced to take cover to avoid being struck by flyrock. Such hazards demonstrate why blasting activities near construction sites demand rigorous planning and strict adherence to exclusion zones.

Flyrock represents one of many hazards associated with blasting work, alongside noise, vibration, and dust exposure. These risks can affect both worker health and public safety if controls fail during emergency response situations.

Director Also Penalised For Health And Safety Breach

In addition, the company's director was fined $22,500 for breaching section 32 of the WHS Act by failing to ensure that his acts or omissions did not adversely affect the health and safety of others. This ruling reinforces that officers carry personal accountability for workplace health outcomes, not just corporate entities.

For construction and manufacturing businesses undertaking blasting or high-risk activities, this case serves as a reminder that safety obligations extend across every level of an organisation. Robust incident management processes and clear emergency procedures help reduce exposure to similar hazards.

Lessons For Construction And Mining-Adjacent Operations

Businesses operating near residential zones should review their blasting protocols, exclusion zone enforcement, and emergency notification procedures regularly. Health and safety professionals across construction can draw parallels from other enforcement cases, such as the mining company fined over worker injury and the Victorian company fined over timber mill death.

Similar enforcement trends appear in other sectors too, including a recent case involving a Geelong company sentenced over forklift incident, underscoring that regulators continue pursuing strong penalties wherever safety failures put workers or the public at risk.

Strengthening Your Incident Reporting And Safety Systems

Organisations can reduce legal and reputational risk by maintaining up-to-date documentation, including an incident reporting policy and relevant safe work method statements covering vehicle and site-related hazards. Comprehensive policies, such as a company vehicle policy, further support a culture of accountability and preparedness.

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