Geelong steel industry faces safety scrutiny for putting workers at risk

Earlier this year, steel manufacturing companies NJ Steel Fabrications and Thornton Engineering appeared in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court regarding safety issues in their workplace.

NJ Steel Fabrications faced prosecution after a worker installing roof sheets on top of a steel structure fell through a gap and sustained serious injuries. Legal action was also taken against Thornton Engineering after an untrained worker put themselves and other employees at risk by operating two gantry cranes carrying a 30-tonne steel frame, which subsequently fell and struck a wall in the workplace.

These incidents highlight a concerning trend in Geelong’s steel manufacturing industry, where a lack of workplace safety procedures poses a significant risk. The use of heavy machinery and hazardous materials makes this industry particularly dangerous, increasing the likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities if proper safety measures are not enforced.

Aside from the critical importance of rigorous safety standards and the need for incident prevention, the two companies' contrasting responses to their respective incidents are cause for concern.

NJ Steel Fabrications penalised for severe safety violations

NJ Steel Fabrications, a steel fabrication and installation company, was sentenced due to a lack of fall protection.

In January 2022, two workers were on top of a steel structure installing roof sheets when one of them fell through a gap and sustained serious injuries, including a brain bleed, fractured ribs and a fractured pelvis. Inspectors found that no fall prevention measures were being used on the site, and none of the workers were experienced or trained in working at heights.

Less than a month later, inspectors returned to the site to find the company’s director and another worker on the roof, again without internal fall prevention.

Sarah Thorn, personal injuries associate, says that all too often we see employers failing to prevent incidents in their workplace.

“You would assume that once an incident like this occurs, it would serve as a wake-up call for the company to implement necessary safety measures into their everyday operations to prevent future incidents. It is deeply concerning to find that the same hazardous practices were still in place less than a month later, by the company’s director no less,” says Sarah.

NJ Steel Fabrications was fined $40,000 after pleading guilty to three charges of failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment for their employees and one charge of failing to provide appropriate information, instructions or safety training for their workers.

Thornton Engineering invests in safety after near-miss incident

Another local company, Thornton Engineering, found itself in a similar position to NJ Steel Fabrications but handled it very differently.

Thornton Engineering, a leading steel fabrication company, faced the Court for an incident in August 2022 when a worker was directed to operate two overhead gantry cranes to lift and rotate a 30-tonne steel frame. The worker had not performed the task before and was required to hold a licence to operate the machinery.

Due to the two cranes not being synchronised, the frame was overbalanced, and it fell and hit a wall in the workplace. This incident placed the worker and other employees at risk and could have led to a tragic outcome.

Thornton Engineering escaped sentencing and agreed to spend almost $170,000 improving health and safety practices in its workplace. These changes included upgrading its existing gantry cranes to enable automated synchronisation, investing in technology to allow factory floor workers to access online Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and creating a comprehensive guidance manual on the development of lifting plans.

In the end, says Sarah, it's promising to see Thornton Engineering taking proactive steps to enhance workplace safety. However, this should serve as a reminder that safety measures need to be in place from the beginning.

“While Thornton Engineering’s commitment to investing in safety improvements is commendable, it’s important to remember that incidents like this are entirely preventable. NJ Steel Fabrications failed to learn from its workplace incident and faced significant consequences, whereas Thornton Engineering seized the opportunity to enhance its safety protocols, demonstrating a proactive approach. As a result, Thornton Engineering employees will benefit from the safer work environment,” says Sarah.

Support available

All workers, including steelworkers, should be safe on the job.

Too many injuries are caused by incidents at work. If you have been injured at work and you are unsure what to do next, speak to your union representative or General Practitioner as soon as possible or seek legal advice, as strict time limits apply for workers’ compensation claims. 

We specialise in work injuries and provide no-obligation first appointments in our offices. If you have been injured at work, call us for advice.