Worker at Rio Tinto’s BSL suffers electric shock in workplace incident at Boyne Island aluminium smelter

A man was transported to hospital overnight after suffering an electric shock while operating a grinder at a Gladstone workplace. See the full details.

A worker was sent to hospital overnight Monday after suffering an electric shock from a grinder at Rio Tinto’s Boyne Smelter.

A man in his 20s was transported to Gladstone Hospital in a stable condition following a workplace incident at Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), south of Gladstone.

It is understood the man was operating a grinder when he received an electric shock about 2am.

A Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS) spokeswoman confirmed paramedics responded to the incident on Handley Dr, Boyne Island and transported the patient as a precaution.

Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) is the second largest aluminium smelter in Australia, located approximately 20km south of Gladstone at Boyne Island. Supplied

A Rio Tinto spokesman confirmed they were aware of the incident and said that site protocols for overnight incidents mean staff are sent to hospital rather than the onsite medical centre which operates during the day.

The spokesman said a contractor reported a suspected electric shock and was taken to hospital as per protocols and then released immediately without undergoing treatment.

“The safety of our people and contractors is our top priority and we are investigating the incident,” he said.

Boyne Smelters is Australia’s second largest aluminium smelter and has operated since 1982, according to their website.

Rio Tinto is the majority owner (59 per cent) of BSL which is a joint venture with YKK Aluminium, UACJ Australia, and Southern Cross Aluminium, among others.

A spokesman for the Queensland Government’s Office of Industrial Relations said Workplace Health and Safety was also aware of the incident and was making inquiries.