SafeWork SA has announced an auditing blitz on Gin and Whiskey distilleries across the state, following a dramatic rise in the setup of operations over the last decade.
An announcement made on the SafeWork SA website earlier this month highlighted there are more than 120 distillers making gin, whiskey, vodka and rum in SA.
“Distilleries produce and store highly flammable liquids, including ethanol, and create risks associated with explosive atmospheres, confined spaces, pressure vessels, electrical safety, chemicals, cylinder storage and pallet racking”, their press release read.
The blitz follows an explosion at a Tasmanian distillery which caused critical injuries to a worker and $2 million in damage to its facility.
SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell says “With any burgeoning industry, there is the possibility that work health and safety risks have not been identified or adequately addressed by the business operators.
“Distilleries are not only employing many more workers but are also opening their doors to the public as a tourism and hospitality experience.
“Distilleries are inherently hazardous places as they store and use highly flammable liquids and present electrical safety risks as well as slip, trip and fall hazards.”
The audits, that have already commenced will see SafeWork inspectors assessing compliance with work health and safety laws and dangerous substances regulations.
Throughout the six-month campaign, compliance activities will focus on:
If a work health and safety risk is identified during the audit and cannot be remedied while the inspector is on site, a statutory notice will be issued.
