THE timber workers union has sounded an alarm over what it claims is falling safety standards for workers following a three-storey blaze at a regional mill.
Two workers received burns after a fire ignited in the heat plant of the Timberlink sawmill in Tarpeena early this month.
The union warned the incident could have potentially killed employees if the fire triggered an explosion.
A video of the fire leaked to The Border Watch shows the flames and thick smoke billowing from the manufacturing plant, which will undergo a looming $90m expansion.
The incident has triggered the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union to call for greater safety standards in the regional timber processing sector.
The union – which unveiled details of the fire for the first time – has also fired a shot directly at SafeWork SA for not regularly conducting safety audits of regional processing mills.
Union Green Triangle secretary Brad Coates said the two workers received burns and were treated in hospital after their shirts melted to their backs, necks and arms.
He said one of the injured workers was yet to return to work and had taken stress leave after the October 4 incident.
“This was a three-storey high fire which had the potential to cause fatalities and serious injuries to workers on the site and correct procedures which should have been actioned were deferred and delayed,” Mr Coates said.
According to the union, workers were told to attack the blaze with water hoses, firefighters were not called immediately and employees were not evacuated.
“When the emergency services arrived at the site, access was delayed because sawmill production had not stopped and delayed fire suppression,” Mr Coates said.
He said this situation would not have happened 20 years ago.
Mr Coates said the union had spoken “at length” to Timberlink about the incident, but was yet to hear any response from SafeWork SA.
Timberlink chief executive officer Ian Tyson yesterday described the incident as a “small localised fire” in one of the heat plants.
“The incident was readily put under control on site by Timberlink staff before the fire brigade came with assistance shorty after,” Mr Tyson said.
“The four staff involved were taken to the hospital as a precaution as per our safety procedures and all were cleared.”
Mr Tyson said there was no damage to plant, only some electrical re-wiring was required and the boiler was operational the following day.
“A review has been undertaken to ensure there is no re-occurrence, there is nothing more important than the safety of our people,” he said.
In a broader shot at the wider regional industry, Mr Coates said there had been six serious accidents in the sector, including amputated fingers, that should never of happened over the past two years.
“There have been a number of other concerning lapses in safety across the region and the regulatory authority Safework SA does not appear to have the level of concern that is needed to address this issue,” Mr Coates said.
“Workers throughout the industry have expressed a lack of confidence in Safework SA to effect change.
“Workplace safety should be front and centre for both workers and employers and there needs to be a major shift in attention to this as a matter of urgency.”
While some employers were being proactive and improving safety in the workplace, Mr Coates warned the increase in serious injuries and major incidents was causing a high level of concern.
“A large part of the falling standards reflects the lack of inspections and compliance enforcement by Safework SA,” he said.
“Operations across the border in Victoria highlight a stark contrast in the way in which workplace safety compliance operates.”
The Border Watch contacted SafeWork SA for comment.
