Company and director penalised after explosion that injured four workers

A chemical manufacturer in Queensland has been fined $180,000, and its director fined $36,000, after they unsuccessfully defended a prosecution against them, following an explosion at their factory.

The manufacturing plant, which produced turpentine, rosin and waste wood chips, created a new process of extraction that required importing, setting up and modifying plant and associated equipment, including a conveyer system, extractor and de-solventiser.

In 2021, the plant was in shut-down mode due to being struck by lightning. The extractor contained around 5,000 litres of turpentine concentrate, resulting in a large explosion from the mixture of air and the chemicals, causing significant damage and injuring four workers.

The Court was satisfied that, while the company had a risk-minimisation procedure in place, it was not adequately directed to the risks of explosion. In particular, the Court found that the company failed to:

assess the chemical stability and reactivity of turpentine and concentrate as extraction solvents; and
assess the chemical stability and reactivity of turpentine and concentrate laden wood chips, particularly when in contact with air.

The director had failed to ensure that the company put these risk assessments in place and so was also convicted for failing to exercise due diligence.

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