Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd facing $1.5 million fine over chemical blaze that injured worker
A WASTE company faces a maximum $1.5 million fine and will face the District Court after admitting responsibility for a 2013 chemical fire that injured an employee.
A WASTE company has been sent to the District Court after admitting responsibility for a 2013 chemical fire that injured an employee, and now faces a maximum $1.5 million fine.
On Tuesday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court ruled Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd’s offending was too serious to remain in its jurisdiction.
Magistrate Brett Dixon said he was satisfied the company should face a penalty greater than the maximum $150,000 he could impose, and ordered it face the District Court instead.
The company, which has pleaded guilty, was charged over a fire at a Wingfield chemical processing plant in July, 2013.
One of its workers was knocked to the ground, and sustained burns, when a flash-fire was sparked in a large distillation tank.
Federal workplace health and safety regulator Comcare alleged the company had been attempting to distil industrial solvent from chemical waste at the time of the fire.
On Tuesday, the company was ordered to face the District Court in January, when a date will be set for sentencing submissions.