SafeWork SA issues hot work safety alert after farmworker sustains burn injuries while cutting steel drum near Cowell

SafeWork SA Issues Hot Work Safety Alert After Farmworker Sustains Burn Injuries While Cutting Steel Drum Near Cowell

SafeWork SA has launched an investigation after a worker suffered serious burns injuries while cutting a steel drum with oxy-acetylene equipment at a farm northwest of Adelaide, near Cowell. The incident highlights ongoing hazardous risks associated with hot work on metal drums across the agricultural industry.

According to SafeWork SA, the worker was alone at the time of the incident. A similar incident occurred at Mannum in 2019, where two separate explosive fires caused serious burns to another worker performing comparable hot work with cutting equipment.

Why Storage Drums Pose a Hazardous Risk During Hot Work

SafeWork SA reminds anyone who plans to modify a storage drum to first check whether that container was used to store flammable liquid or gas. Residual substances left inside drums create a serious risk for workers using oxy-acetylene or similar cutting equipment.

"Remember even drums that have been empty for a very long time can contain enough residual substance to explode and/or emit hazardous vapour when exposed to heat," SafeWork SA said.

"Also, be aware that rinsing drums with water does not guarantee vapours are purged."

Key Safety Steps Before Cutting Metal Drums

Employers and farm workers across the industry should take these precautions before undertaking hot work near storage drums or other plant:

• Confirm what substance the drum previously stored, since hazardous residue can remain undetected.
• Never assume rinsing with water has removed all flammable vapour from the container.
• Avoid working alone when cutting drums or operating plant that generates heat or flame.
• Follow a documented hot work permit process to manage risk before starting any cutting task.
• Ensure appropriate personal protective equipment is worn whenever oxy-acetylene equipment is in use.

Cutting into drums without verifying prior contents remains a leading cause of burn injuries reported to safety regulators across the farming and construction industry. Similar concerns have prompted safety alerts issued by other regulators after workers suffered burn injuries during hot work, and WorkSafe New Zealand has also issued a safety alert following a comparable hot work incident.

Broader Health and Safety Implications for Industry

Hot work incidents involving drums are not isolated to one sector. Manufacturing, construction, and health-related industries that rely on metal drums or pressurised equipment face similar exposure. Businesses should review their Work Health & Safety Policy regularly to ensure procedures reflect current hazardous work practices, particularly where plant and equipment interact with unknown residues.

Organisations working with heavy plant, winches, or lifting gear should also confirm their Winch Safety Safe Work Method Statement addresses hot work risks where applicable, since combined equipment use can compound risk on site.

For steel-related trades specifically, SafetyDocs offers Steel Construction Safety Packages and Steel Construction SWMS templates designed to help industry professionals document safe procedures for cutting, welding, and handling steel plant and equipment.

Where to Find More Information

Additional information concerning this safety alert is available on the SafeWork SA website. Workers and employers across the industry are encouraged to review current guidance before undertaking any hot work involving drums, tanks, or other equipment that may have held flammable substances.

Regulators continue emphasising that hot work safety cannot be treated as a one-off checklist item. Ongoing vigilance, proper equipment checks, and awareness of hazardous residue remain essential for reducing burn injuries across every industry that relies on cutting and welding equipment.