A worker was recently killed on board CSL’s Floating Offshore Transfer Barge (FOTB) Spencer Gulf at Whyalla in the Upper Spencer Gulf of South Australia.
Reports indicate that the worker, who was employed by Inco Ships, was cleaning a boom in a maintenance period on the barge, and the operation of the boom has resulted in a fatal accident.
SafeWork SA was notified of the incident, and inspectors were onsite conducting an investigation into the workplace fatality.
SafeWork SA said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including any breaches of the SA Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 as well as all parties with potential responsibility for workplace safety.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) said there have been safety concerns surrounding the operation of the barge operation for some time.
“We await the outcome of the current investigation by SafeWork SA but as soon as it is complete, we’ll be seeking urgent meetings with CSL and Inco to discuss serious ongoing safety concerns on the FOTB operation,” said MUA assistant national secretary Warren Smith.
MUA South Australia branch secretary Jamie Newlyn said he had been trying for years to secure an agreement on this facility, which has a chequered history when it comes to safety.
“This is not the first serious breach of safety on the FOTB and there have been numerous instances of intervention from regulators. Our members onboard have been continuously raising safety issues and advising SafeWork SA of problems,” Newlyn said.