Thursday 18th February 2021

Workplace Safety News: Thursday 18th February 2021

This week's workplace safety news for Thursday 18th February 2021 covers three enforcement actions from New Zealand and Australia. Each case highlights failures in chemical handling, demolition site management, and adherence to safe work method statements.

MPI New Zealand Charged After Workers Sustain Chemical Burns

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was sentenced at the Invercargill District Court on February 11th for failing to ensure workers were not exposed to hazardous chemicals.

On behalf of MPI, biosecurity company AsureQuality engaged OneStaff to provide temporary workers for cleaning and disinfecting work needed to help manage an outbreak of Mycoplasma Bovis.

In April 2018, a cleaning product called X-Clean DOO AWAY was approved by MPI as a general cleaning product. MPI had not approved the sodium hydroxide-based cleaner produced by DOO AWAY for use in the Mycoplasma Bovis clean up.

Cleaning staff were provided personal protective equipment, including gloves; however, chemicals seeped into cuffs, resulting in eight employees sustaining burns to hands, wrists, and arms.

Investigations by WorkSafe New Zealand found MPI failed to adequately consult, co-operate and co-ordinate with other parties to ensure work was carried out safely. MPI also failed to provide a safe system of work for the OneStaff crew.

"When multiple businesses and organisations are involved in carrying out work it is vital they communicate with one another to ensure risk has been identified and is being correctly managed," said Steve Kelly, WorkSafe NZ Investigation Manager.

MPI was fined $30,000. Last November, AsureQuality was fined $66,000, and OneStaff was also fined $38,500. Full article can be found on the WorkSafe NZ website.

Fatal Wall Collapse in Ballarat, Contractor Charged

In September 2019, a 56-year-old man was crushed by a brick wall during demolition work at a Mount Pleasant property.

Horsham Backhoe Hire Pty Ltd allegedly failed to establish and maintain an exclusion zone around the live demolition areas.

The company's failure to provide the information, instruction and training necessary to enable workers to perform their duties safely, without risks to health, was a breach of section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act, alleges WorkSafe Victoria.

Two charges have been laid for the alleged breaches. A filing hearing is set for February 19th at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court. Media release found on WorkSafe Victoria website.

For related coverage on demolition and construction site enforcement, see our Thursday 25th February 2021 safety news roundup.

Company and Director Fined for Failure to Follow SWMS

A fine of $35,000 was issued to a flooring business. Its director received a 12-month court ordered undertaking after being found to have failed at following their own Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for a building project, putting public health at risk.

Both company and director pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to failing in their health and safety duties under Queensland's Work Health and Safety Act 2011, exposing people to a risk of death or serious injury.

In July 2018, a levelling compound was applied to a commercial building foyer floor which needed time to dry. No matting, bollards or traffic cones were placed to manage trip and slip hazards. While crossing the floor, two members of public slipped and fell, with one sustaining a fractured left patella.

Investigations by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland found the company's SWMS identified slip hazards and safety controls, yet these went unfollowed. Nor were exclusion zones, signage or adequate delineated pathways implemented.

Magistrate Suzette Coates acknowledged workers attempted to mitigate injury risk, noting the firm had relied to some extent on the principal contractor to manage exposure, commenting that relying on others is dangerous when liability arises for the person performing the work.

Original article can be found on the WorkSafe QLD website.

Stay Updated with Weekly Safety News

Every week, we compile the latest workplace safety news from regulators across Australia and New Zealand, helping safety professionals stay informed on enforcement trends and compliance obligations.

For prior coverage, check our Thursday 11th February 2021 news summary, or browse our Thursday 18th March 2021 update for the following month's incidents.

These cases from February 2021 reinforce a consistent theme across safety enforcement: businesses must maintain robust systems for consultation, training, and hazard control regardless of workforce size or project scale. Each incident date and fine amount referenced above reflects publicly available enforcement records at time of publication.