20-05-2025
SafeWork SA lodges criminal proceedings against AGL for alleged lead exposure
A workplace ombudsman will take South Australia's largest electricity company to court over alleged workplace breaches.
SafeWork SA has lodged criminal proceedings against AGL Torrens Island Pty Ltd, alleging the company exposed workers to unsafe levels of lead during the decommissioning of its 'A' power station.
SafeWork SA launched the action in the South Australian Employment Court on May 16, following an investigation.
AGL Torrens Island engaged the workers to decommission the 'A' power station between October 2022 and April 2023.
The work involved de-energising, or preparing to de-energise, cabling throughout the power station., which allegedly exposed the workers to lead or lead dust.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was provided – but SafeworkSA alleges that this did not include a full-face respirator.
Safework SA said that five workers allegedly recorded an elevated blood lead level subsequent to the work.
It is alleged that AGL Torrens Island Pty's failure to comply with its health and safety duty exposed workers to unsafe levels of lead.
SafeWork SA has charged AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited with a Category 2 offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
The maximum penalty for a Category 2 offence for a body corporate is $1.5 million.
