WASTE WATER PLANT BLOWS
CLUB STAFFER CRITICAL AFTER FREAK EXPLOSION
A MAINTENANCE worker is fighting for life with serious burns after a methane explosion at Townsville Golf Club yesterday.
Investigators are determining if a buildup of methane in the club’s sewage treatment plant led to the explosion at 6.50am.
The man, 43, was rushed to Townsville Hospital with burns to 15 per cent of his body. A hospital spokeswoman said he was in a critical but stable condition last night. It is understood he is on a ventilator.
An ambulance spokeswoman said the man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition but deteriorated while being treated for “full thickness” burns.
“He received a combination of superficial and moderate burns to 15 per cent of his body; mainly in the face and chest area,” the spokeswoman said.
Paramedics initially treated the man in the toilets of the golf club.
Queensland Police District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Scott Warwick said there was moderate damage to the building.
Townsville Golf Club manager Mitch Bligh in a statement confirmed an employee had been injured in a “workplace incident”.
“Townsville Golf Club is co- operating with investigations from police, Workplace Health and Safety and the Queensland Government,” Mr Bligh’s statement read.
“The club’s wishes are with the employee and his family at this time and will continue to support them.”
The club last week marked its 125th birthday.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Northern Region fire investigator Mark Fraser said investigators would be on site today to ensure the building was safe but there was no risk to nearby residents.
“Methane is lighter than air so when it is not contained in the building, it poses no threat to the community,” he said.
A QFES spokesman said testing found methane levels were high.
“The building has natural ventilation from the external doors,” the spokesman said. “It was a still morning so it’s possible there was a methane build- up overnight.
“There was enough methane and oxygen in the building for the explosion to take place but that still would have needed to be ignited.”
Workplace Health and Safety investigators will be on site today to investigate the cause of the ignition.
A spokesman said the incident was being taken seriously.
“We have commenced investigations,” he said. “Our process will be to talk to the injured worker and complete an inspection of the site.”
A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said firefighters had advised there had been no environmental harm.
“As a result, DES officers will not attend the scene,” he said.
“Once QPS and WH& S have completed their initial inquiries, DES officers will make further inquiries with the Townsville Golf Club to ensure there are no risks of sewage discharge as a result of potential damage to infrastructure.
“The Department of Environ- ment and Science has been monitoring ongoing odour issues from the Townsville Golf Club.”
Residents nearby have complained about an odour emanating from the area in recent months.
The State Government served the club with an Environmental Protection Order in December after investigating the complaints.