A FIREPROOF clothing business has been fined $135,000 after a worker suffered corrosive chemical burns to the face.
WorkSafe Victoria claims the incident occurred six weeks after a chemical splash caused another employee to become blind in one eye.
According to WorkSafe Victoria, the court was told Flame Safe Fabric Specialists had failed to provide adequate protective equipment and safety training to its staff.
Flame Safe Fabric Specialists was found guilty of ten charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
The two incidents, which occurred in 2007, involved the use and handling of corrosive chemicals that are classified Dangerous Goods.
WorkSafe Victoria says the first incident involved a worker losing sight in one eye after the handle of a bucket holding chemical liquid broke, causing liquid to splash into the man’s eye. The worker was not wearing eye-protection at the time of the incident and the safety spectacles provided to him were not fully enclosed.
The second incident happened when the handle on a dipper made from a metal rod attached with gaffer tape broke. This caused some of the mixture to splash into a worker’s face, burning him and numbing the inside of his mouth.
WorkSafe's acting executive director Stan Krpan says the case graphically illustrates the need for employers to take all possible steps to identify and remove hazards and ensure employees are properly trained.
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