Boral Cement Pty Ltd

On 23 January 2016, workers at Maldon were assisting in the re-installation of an intermediate bearing housing, as part of an overhaul of a gearbox drive system. During the procedure, a worker was crushed by the bearing housing when it disengaged from the bearing.

Alleged breach

Contravention of section 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Summary of the undertaking

The undertaking requires the following actions:

• implementing a revised safe system of work (SSoW) and management of change program
• implementing  in-situ advertising to raise industry awareness on respirable crystalline silica
• funding a 12-month community placement role within Boral Cement.

Reasons for accepting the undertaking

• The alleged contravention does not appear to be a section 31 Reckless conduct category 1 offence, which if it was the case, would preclude the proposed undertaking from being accepted.
• The nature of the alleged contravention and the actions taken by Boral Cement Pty Ltd in response to the incident are assessed as being appropriate for consideration of an undertaking.
• The strategies proposed in the undertaking have been assessed as likely to deliver long term sustainable safety improvements in the workplace, industry and community.
• The undertaking addresses the requirements contained within the Enforceable undertakings guidelines.

This undertaking has a total expenditure of $1,045,000.

Further information

View the full Boral Cement Pty Ltd enforceable undertaking.