Flying shrapnel from malfunctioning fan halts underground work at Snowy 2.0

All underground work at Snowy 2.0 has ceased after an industrial-sized ventilation fan malfunctioned and sent out “flying shrapnel”.

A major malfunction of an industrial-sized ventilation fan at the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project has resulted in all underground work being ceased.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the five to six metre sized fan sent out “flying shrapnel” as it malfunctioned, prompting workers to stop work.

It is understood Safework NSW has issued Snowy Hydro a number of prohibition notices, and with all of the ventilation fans ruled inoperable pending an urgent inspection.

Australian Workers’ Union NSW secretary Tony Callinan said the malfunction occurred on Tuesday, with other fans since being found with “missing bolts” and other issues.

Mr Callinan said he understood up to seven prohibition notices had been issued by Safework NSW.

“The fans provide ventilation for all of the underground works,” he said on Wednesday

“One of those fans had a mechanical failure in the early hours of yesterday morning with shrapnel flying many metres. If someone had been nearby they could have been significantly injured or killed.

Inside the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project.

“Safework has issued prohibition notices and all the fans on the site are now inoperative, meaning no underground work is being performed.”

Mr Callinan said an inspection of the other fans found them to be in “various states of disrepair”, including “missing bolts”.

The union is demanding the fans be inspected by the original manufacturers.

The construction of Snowy 2.0 has been under way since 2019.

The project will link two existing dams, Tantangara and Talbingo, through a 27km underground tunnel and a new underground power station.

Dubbed a “nation-building project” that will underpin Australia’s transition to renewables, Snowy 2.0 has been beset by delays and cost blow-outs.

Inside the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project. Massimo Franceschi (right), FGJV project director

Snowy Hydro has ordered an “immediate” independent safety audit of Snowy 2.0 while principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture’s (FGJV) leadership on the project will be reviewed.

“Following a serious safety incident at Snowy 2.0, Snowy Hydro will seek an immediate

independent safety review and audit, and will require changes to principal contractor Future

Generation Joint Venture’s (FGJV) leadership on the project,” it said.

“These actions follow an underground fan failing and losing part of its blade on Monday morning.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt. Underground work was stopped to allow inspection of all fans. Nothing is more important to Snowy Hydro than safety. Recent safety concerns at Snowy 2.0 have made it clear that as the client, our assurance role over FGJV’s activities requires this

intervention.”

It said FGJV would work with SafeWork NSW to ensure the fans are safe, with the aim of progressively restarting

work.