Explosion fatality highlights dangers in simple safety breaches

A Melbourne company has been fined $285,000 over an incident in which a 25-year-old refrigeration mechanic died when his work van exploded outside his home in Mulgrave in 2011.

Carrum Downs company Cool Dynamics Refrigeration (CDR) pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 over the incident that occurred on 12 December as the man prepared to leave for work.

The massive explosion damaged neighbouring houses and sent parts of the van onto nearby roofs. The man died in hospital a few hours later.

CDR was reportedly charged with failing to maintain a safe system of work; failing to provide information, instruction, training and supervision; and failing to ensure that people other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

The court was told that the company specialised in building, installing and maintaining food refrigeration systems and provided its refrigeration mechanics with work vans to enable them to complete jobs at customer sites. Equipment in the vans included cylinders of various flammable gases, such as acetylene and methylacetylene-propadiene gas (known as MAP or MAPP).

WorkSafe Victoria said due to the volatile nature of acetylene and other gases in the van, specific measures are required for their transport and storage — and if the cylinders are not contained properly, the potential for movement and possible leaks is increased.

The cylinders should be kept in a purpose-built vented compartment or cabinet so leaking gas can only escape to the outside of the vehicle. Cylinders are also required to be regularly checked to ensure that valves are firmly closed and outlets capped.

The court was reportedly told that the van contained a cabinet but it did not have a vent, and employees were not trained in how to store and transport flammable gas cylinders.

Acetylene is a highly flammable gas that, when mixed with air, needs only a very slight ignition source to ignite. In the cabin of a van, these can include electrical switches, relays and motors.

The court heard that the most likely source was the door-activated light switch, which would have generated a small electrical arc as the door was opened.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Marnie Williams said the young man’s tragic death should not have happened.

“There are simple but specific measures that need to be taken when dangerous gases are being transported in small spaces such as work vans,” Williams said.

“[And] it is important that gas cylinders should not be kept in the van for long periods when they are not being used.

“The breaches that the company has pleaded guilty to are serious and the consequences of such failings are catastrophic. A young man is dead and a family is left heartbroken and grieving over another senseless workplace fatality.”

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