Mining company charged over 2022 electric shock of worker

NT WorkSafe has charged a Darwin based mining company after one of its workers receiving an electric shock at a mine site in the Roper Gulf Region.

In September 2022, a 36 year old process operator on night shift received an electric shock to their hand after accessing an electrical cabinet. The worker was attempting to restart pumping equipment which had stopped, causing flooding in a minerals storage shed.

The worker finished their shift before reporting the incident to the site manager.

Australian Ilmenite Resources Pty Ltd (A.I.R) has been charged with two breaches of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act).

The first charge is under Section 32 of the Act for failing their primary duty of care for not ensuring that the electrical cabinet was safe and without risk.

The second charge is under Section 33 of the Act for failing their primary duty of care for not adequately providing information, training, instruction or supervision to their workers.

NT WorkSafe will allege that the electrical cabinet was not safe and did not comply with Australian Standards leading to a greater electrical safety risk to workers, including the risk of electrocution.

NT WorkSafe will also allege the information, training and instruction process for workers at A.I.R was haphazard, including site induction not being completed for all workers before they commenced work at the mine.

If found guilty of all charges, A.I.R faces a maximum combined penalty of $2 million.

The matter is listed for mention at the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday 6 June 2023.