Vic company faces new charges for chemical stockpiling

WorkSafe Victoria has charged waste management company Bradbury Industrial Services with an additional 21 alleged breaches of the Dangerous Goods Act, for chemical stockpiles at three warehouses in Craigieburn, Victoria. The company, which is now in liquidation, has been accused of committing seven offences under sections 31 (1) and 45 of the Act for each warehouse. The charges come in addition to seven charges filed against Bradbury in January 2020, for alleged offences at a site in Campbellfield.

The new charges allege that Bradbury failed to take all reasonable precautions to prevent a fire or explosion of dangerous goods at the three Craigieburn warehouses. Bradbury also failed to reduce the risks associated with dangerous goods storages and failed to notify WorkSafe Victoria of an excess quantity of dangerous goods at its sites. Having exceeded the regulated fire protection quantity of dangerous goods, the company allegedly failed to request the advice of the relevant emergency services regarding a fire protection system, and failed to have a written fire protection plan. The company also allegedly failed, at each site, to properly display HAZCHEM placarding and failed to keep a manifest of its dangerous goods.

A joint investigation into dangerous goods storage in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, carried out by WorkSafe Victoria and the Environment Protection Authority, uncovered the stockpiles in Craigieburn in January 2019. The matter was listed for a filing hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 April 2020.

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