Workers taken to Brisbane after brewed drink explosion

Three of the four workers burnt in a gas explosion at the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks construction site have been taken to Brisbane, as the company’s CEO vowed safety was his number one priority.

Four men were taken to Bundaberg Hospital with facial burns after Queensland paramedics were called to the factory Thabeban on Monday. Picture: 7 News

Following an explosion at the developing Bundaberg Brewed Drinks facility on Monday, authorities have confirmed three of the four workers injured have been taken to Brisbane for further treatment.

The gas explosion at the facility, reportedly triggered by welding sparks igniting gas during the commissioning of a boiler, left four men with facial burns on Monday afternoon.

The men were transported to the Bundaberg Hospital, and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service on Tuesday confirmed two of the men were transferred to Brisbane in a serious but stable condition, and a third was transferred in a stable condition.

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A fourth man remains at the Bundaberg Hospital in a stable condition.

John McLean, CEO Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, .Photograph by Arsineh Houspian.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean said at the time of the incident the men involved were contracted to the facility, and not directly employed by the company itself.

He said the company’s ongoing primary concern is with the contractors involved, and the team was working closely with authorities to understand the cause of the incident.

Much of the facility was evacuated on Monday afternoon, with sirens echoing through the air while workers waited anxiously to hear about the conditions of their workmates and if they would be able to return to work.

Mr McLean said the company was doing everything it could to support workers at the facility.

“We are spending the day talking to the team and offering our counselling service to all employees,” he said.

“Safety is our number one priority. We will continue to promote this message internally.”

The incident is now under investigation by WorkSafe Queensland and Occupational Health and Safety bodies, though no timeline could be given on Tuesday about how long the investigation would take.

Mr McLean said he and the company were doing everything they could to ensure the future safety of all staff.

“We will continue to work with WorkSafe Qld on any improvement or actions that may come of the investigation,” he said.