Origin Energy LPG Limited
On 20 March 2020, an explosion and jet fire occurred while a worker was filling a 15kg LPG cylinder using a cylinder filling carousel at an Origin Energy LPG Limited site at Minto, NSW. The fire spread to other cylinders on the carousel and caused damage to the carousel, several cylinders and other ancillary equipment. No workers or other persons suffered any injuries as a result of the incident.
Alleged breach
Origin Energy LPG Limited contravened section 19(1) and 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Summary of undertaking
Activities Origin Energy LPG Limited will undertake include:
- Hosting a series of workplace and community events which will seek to prevent and reduce psychosocial risks in the workplace and the community, promoting awareness of mental health and early preventative measures.
- Developing guidance materials for industry and community regarding safely working with or in the vicinity of gas cylinders, tanks, gas systems and gas appliances that may be affected by major flood or storm events.
- Engaging subject matter experts to develop updated industry guidance on hazards, risks and control measures in relation to electrostatic discharge as a potential ignition source for LPG or LPG vapour.
This undertaking has a total expenditure of $495,000.
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 Origin Energy LPG Limited 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 for Proposing a WHS Undertaking”.
Date accepted
10 August 2023
Further information
View the full Origin Energy LPG Limited undertaking (PDF, 930.99 KB)
If you are not able to access the information in this PDF we can make alternative arrangements for you. Please contact [email protected].