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Ammonium nitrate emulsion tanker trailer explosion: Incident investigation report

On 24 October 2022, a tanker trailer carrying an ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) caught fire then exploded on the Great Central Highway, approximately 150 kilometres east of Laverton. An animation has been prepared by Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety investigators to communicate the findings of the investigation and learnings for industry.

The department would like to acknowledge the Yilka Talintji people, past and present, who occupy the land where this incident occurred.

Dangerous goods safety alerts

The department publishes significant incident reports and safety bulletins on reported incidents and accidents. These safety alerts allow information to be communicated to industry and the public with the hope that similar incidents can be prevented.

Significant incidents reports cover individual incidents or accidents. Safety bulletins are produced to highlight safety concerns where there has been a cluster or trend of similar incidents, whether in Western Australia or worldwide.

Fuel tanker fire at Maddington 15 May 2009: Incident investigation report

At 13:43 on Friday 15 May 2009, a fuel tanker was unloading petrol into underground tanks at a suburban service station when a fire started at the fill point. The fire spread to the tyres of the tanker and later to its rear fuel compartments. Two of the rear compartments ruptured during the fire. One of the ruptures created a large fireball (about 60 m high and 20 m in diameter) that extensively damaged the petrol station building and associated infrastructure.

Fortunately, no-one was injured in the incident.

Meat processing facility prosecuted over 2022 worker death

WorkSafe has commenced prosecution proceedings against a meat processing facility over the 2022 death of a process worker at its Katanning operation.

Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative Ltd (WAMMCO) has been charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death of a worker.

In December 2022, a process worker at the facility suffered fatal injuries when he was entrapped by the moving parts of machinery.

Dangerous goods incident report: Form

This form is to be completed and lodged with Dangerous Goods Safety within 21 days of a reportable situation unless otherwise agreed with a Dangerous Goods Officer. 

Reporting incidents is important as it assists with timely investigations, the prevention of incidents through raising awareness of incident trends and the publication of learnings from investigations. Failure to report a reportable situation is an offence under the Act and regulations.

Reporting and investigating incidents and other situations involving dangerous goods: Guide

The Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 (the Act) and subsidiary regulations require certain situations to be reported or notified to the Chief Officer or a Dangerous Goods Officer (DGO) at the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (the department). This guide consolidates these requirements.

Reportable situations prescribed

The following situations at dangerous goods sites, or involving dangerous goods in a pipeline, must be reported to the department if they caused, or could have caused (if not for intervening events):

Use of confidentiality clauses in the resolution of workplace sexual harassment complaints: Guidance

These guidance can assist an affected person, as well as PCBUs, respondents, employer organisations, unions, legal practitioners, mediators, insurers and anyone else involved in the process of resolving a workplace sexual harassment complaint.

These guidance materials are not legal advice. People who have experienced sexual harassment or made a workplace sexual harassment complaint and PCBUs, others responding to complaints of workplace sexual harassment may wish to seek independent advice about how to best resolve the matter.

Heavy industrial company fined $350,000 over serious injuries to worker

A Hope Valley heavy industrial company has been fined $350,000 on two charges (and ordered to pay $5295 in costs) over causing serious injuries to a 16-year-old apprentice and not reporting the injury.

National Steel Workplace Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to a worker, and was fined in the Rockingham Magistrates Court yesterday. National Steel also pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Commissioner of that injury.

Dangerous goods safety laws

What legislation applies to dangerous goods?

There are seven pieces of dangerous goods safety legislation relating to the manufacture, storage, possession handling, transport, and use of dangerous goods (both non-explosives and explosives). This includes the operation of major hazard facilities across Western Australia.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

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