LPG leak could have been deadly

The watchdog of workplace safety has lambasted three companies for failing to keep workers safe on a South Taranaki gas production station following a ‘‘potentially deadly’’ incident.

The November 2016 event saw approximately 140 litres of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) unexpectedly discharged from a trailer mounted calibrating unit at the Kupe Production Station, near Manaia.

Three companies, First Gas Limited, Gas Services NZ Limited and Beach Energy Resources NZ (Kupe) Limited, were sentenced in the New Plymouth District Court last month, which resulted in a shared fine of more than $600,000. All companies had pleaded guilty to charges relating to ensuring the health and safety of workers or other persons. They offered formal apologies to those involved through their counsel.

Yesterday, after having Judge Garry Barkle’s decision around fines and reparations confirmed, WorkSafe released a statement saying the LPG leak could have been deadly for the six workers on site.

One worker was taken to hospital after receiving cold burns to the leg and another person suffered a knock to the head after the leak engulfed all the personnel and vehicles at the vehicle loading bay.

Tony Hetherington, head of high hazards, energy and public safety, said the companies’ failings were concerning.

‘‘These companies needed to have suitable and sufficient systems in place to prevent this sort of incident, especially with the potential for a major incident when the flammable substance was released.’’

A WorkSafe investigation found the companies had breached health and safety legislation. It identified several faults including failure to adequately secure a valve on the calibrating unit and that none of the companies involved had adequately managed the health and safety of its or other workers on site that day.

The incident also emphasises that responsibilities lie with all those involved in the work activity, he said. ‘‘This was an incident that had the potential for loss of life and serious injury. If the gas had ignited there would have also been significant damage to the plant and equipment at the site.’’

At the sentencing hearing, WorkSafe prosecutor Shane Elliot said First Gas and Gas Services were bound under a ‘‘complicated’’ contractual structure. ’

Defence for Beach Energy, Nick Logan, said the valve was the basis of the incident, and if two long-term workers had not noticed it was the wrong way around, ‘‘someone from Beach, who sees it once a year, wasn’t likely to have made a difference or spotted that’’.

First Gas and Gas Services also acknowledged there had been shortcomings.

First Gas Limited was fined $188,250 while both Beach Energy Resources NZ (Kupe) Limited and Gas Services NZ Limited received fines of $215,625.

Reparations of $13,500 were awarded to one victim, and $3,500 to another.