Thursday 25th March 2021

Safety News Roundup: 25th March 2021

Welcome to our safety news update for Thursday 25th March 2021. Below, we cover two significant stories affecting workplace safety and disaster recovery across Australia — from waste levy exemptions supporting flood-affected NSW communities, to a Queensland court ruling on a preventable workplace fire.

NSW Flood-Affected Residents Exempt From Waste Levy

Areas across New South Wales have been declared Natural Disaster Areas due to widespread floodwaters. In response, the NSW Government confirmed on 25th March 2021 that waste levy fees will be waived for residents disposing of flood generated waste.

"First the drought, then the fires, a global pandemic and now floods – our communities have been devastated by unprecedented, consecutive challenges, and we must do everything we can to support our citizens," said Environment Minister Matt Kean.

Key details of this exemption include:

• Applies from 10 March 2021 through to 30 June 2021
• Covers 34 declared natural disaster areas
• Residents can dispose of building materials, furniture, and other flood generated waste
• Applicable on both private and public land

For further details, read the full media release on the EPA NSW website. For businesses managing disaster recovery obligations, our Thursday 18th March 2021 update covers related compliance news.

Jumping Castle Business Fined After Avoidable Fire

A Gold Coast-based jumping castle rental company was found guilty of breaching section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the 'Act'). Court findings alleged the company failed to meet its primary safety duty, exposing workers to a risk of serious injury or death.

Background of the Incident

The rental business employed casual workers to drop off, set up and collect amusement devices. Trucks delivered castles to job sites; inflation relied on either a mains power source or a generator, depending on location.

To begin shifts, workers collected a truck along with a "run sheet" detailing daily deliveries and pick-ups. Supervisors pre-packed these vehicles, and workers did not check contents prior to starting work.

Training consisted of a buddy system, pairing less experienced staff with seasoned colleagues for a day or so. No formal safety training existed, nor specific guidance covering use or transportation of generators.

What Went Wrong

In February 2018, three casual workers — each employed for six months or less — were delivering a final jumping castle for the day. Upon arrival, they opened the truck's back doors and noticed petrol fumes. Inspection revealed the generator had overturned due to inadequate securing, causing a petrol puddle on the truck floor.

Two workers entered the vehicle to clean the spill. While retrieving the generator, they noticed a battery hanging loose by a wire. One worker attempted repositioning it when sparks ignited an explosion, leaving two men with significant burn injuries.

Court Findings and Penalty

Investigators found the company hadn't fitted the truck with fire safety equipment. Following examination by the Queensland Police Service, expert evidence confirmed the generator should have been secured during transport.

The company received a $50,000 fine, plus professional and court costs exceeding $4,000.

Read the complete court report on the OWHSP QLD website.

Stay Informed With Our Safety News Archive

For more workplace safety news and compliance updates, check our previous roundups: Thursday 11th March 2021 and Thursday 4th March 2021. These editions track evolving regulatory requirements and enforcement actions relevant to construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors nationwide.