Vic power station to face trial over fire incident

Vic Power Station to Face Trial Over Fire Incident

A Victorian power station is set to face trial after being charged by the state's safety regulator, following a fire that broke out at a fuel distribution house two years ago.

Summary: What Happened

WorkSafe has charged the company with five breaches of the OHS Act for failing to provide a safe work environment. The case against the power station centres on inadequate fire risk controls during hot works.

Details of the Charges

WorkSafe accuses the company of failing to provide or maintain safe systems of work. Specifically, the regulator alleges the company failed to ensure continuous monitoring of fire risk during hot works, and failed to maintain a safety distance of 15 metres between flammable materials and the hot works area.

These breaches raise serious questions about workplace safety practices at power stations across Australia, particularly around hot works procedures near flammable materials.

Court Proceedings

The company is expected in court on 21 November 2023 for a filing hearing. Outcomes from this matter could influence how similar safety cases are handled across the energy sector moving forward.

Why This Matters for Workplace Safety

Fire incidents at industrial sites highlight the ongoing need for robust hot works safety protocols. Employers must maintain safe systems of work, monitor fire risks continuously, and enforce safety distances to protect workers and the surrounding environment.

Businesses looking to strengthen their own safety practices can review our Fire Services Safety Packages, designed to help organisations meet regulatory obligations and reduce fire-related risks on site.

Robust incident management systems also play a critical role in identifying hazards before they escalate into serious fire incidents, supporting a culture of proactive safety across all levels of operation.

Related Incidents

This is not the first time a Victorian power station has faced regulatory action. Read more about a separate case involving a power station facing charges over a worker death, or learn how another operator was penalised in our coverage of a power station operator fined $1.5 million over a workplace fatality.

For businesses managing similar risks, our Incident and Hazard Reporting Module provides a structured approach to documenting and responding to safety concerns before they result in harm.

Originally published here.