Power station charged over hot works fire

EnergyAustralia Yallourn Pty Ltd faces five charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment.

The company is alleged to have breached section 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act by failing to provide employees with the necessary supervision to perform hot works in a way that was safe and without risks to health.

WorkSafe also alleges four breaches of section 21(2)(a) by the company for failing to provide or maintain safe systems of work by failing to ensure continuous monitoring of fire risk during hot works and failing to ensure a safety distance of 15 metres between flammable materials and the hot works area.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on 21 November 2023.