WorkSafe warnings after kids take the plunge

NT businesses are being told to keep a lid on it - literally - after two children fell into open septic tanks.

THE Territory’s workplace safety watchdog has warned of the dangers of fragile septic tank lids after two near misses in the past eight months.

And NT WorkSafe has warned a child could die if septic tank lids are not properly checked.

In December an 18-month-old child playing outside at their accommodation in the Katherine region fell head first through an unsecured septic tank lid.

Then last week at a commercial establishment in the Barkly Region a four-year-old child fell through an unsecured lid into a full septic tank after using nearby public toilets.

On both occasions the children were covered in human waste and had to be rescued by a family member.

WorkSafe is investigating both incidents.

But NT WorkSafe is urging all workplaces across the Territory to urgently check that septic tank lids on their property are safe and secured.

WorkSafe says business owners and other organisations who are still responsible for septic tanks must do a hazard identification and risk assessment as well as implementing control measures to eliminate or minimise risk.

There have been a number of recent septic tank deaths in Australia including a Brisbane mother whose son discovered her body in a septic tank in November and a three-year-old boy in Far North Queensland in January.

A WorkSafe spokesman said it was the responsibility of commercial business owners to ensure tanks and lids are safe and won’t collapse if walked on.

He said alerts have been sent to industry advising them to do quality checks if they have septic tanks.

“We were fortunate in both incidents somebody saw the event and was able to get the child out,” he said.

“There are penalties in place if it’s found the owner was negligent.”

Originally published as WorkSafe warnings after kids take the plunge