Arabic version: تغريم AGL بمبلغ 60 ألف دولار بسبب التعرّض للرصاص في جزيرة تورنس

According to ABC News, energy company AGL has been convicted and fined $60,000 after workers were exposed to lead during decommissioning work at the Torrens Island A Power Station in Adelaide. The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a health and safety duty to its employees after SafeWork SA brought criminal proceedings.

SafeWork SA said five employees recorded elevated blood lead levels after lead was detected in workplace dust. The exposure occurred during works between October 2022 and April 2023, when large quantities of paper insulated lead covered cables were de-energised, cut into one-metre lengths and placed in drums for disposal.

The cable work generated dust and debris, including lead dust, SafeWork SA said. Workers were supplied with long sleeves, long pants, boots, safety glasses, hard hats and gloves, but were not given respiratory protection such as full-face respirators to prevent inhalation of lead dust. AGL was sentenced in the South Australian Employment Tribunal on Friday and was also ordered to pay SafeWork SA costs of $2,640.

In sentencing remarks, Deputy President Judge Miles Crawley said the work should have been an obvious source of lead-exposure risk requiring attention. SafeWork SA executive director Glenn Farrell said the case highlighted the need for thorough hazard identification and risk assessments before work begins. AGL said it cooperated with the investigation and has updated procedures, including a working-with-lead procedure, hazard identification risk assessments and education for employees and contractors.