WA Police Confirm Fatality at South32 Worsley Refinery

Tragic Fatality at Worsley Alumina Refinery Sparks Safety Probe

A somber cloud has descended over Western Australia’s resource sector following the tragic death of a contractor at South32’s Worsley Alumina refinery. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, has prompted a comprehensive safety investigation involving multiple authorities.

Emergency services were dispatched to the refinery, situated near Collie, approximately 200 kilometres south of Perth, shortly before 4am. Despite the swift response and immediate first aid efforts, the 47-year-old man succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Western Australia Police have confirmed that they are preparing a report for the coroner, a standard procedure in such unfortunate circumstances. A spokesperson for South32 acknowledged the fatality, stating that the contractor was fatally injured while undertaking work at the facility. The company has extended its deepest sympathies to the contractor’s family and is actively collaborating with the contractor’s employer to provide essential support and counselling services to those affected.

In response to the incident, South32 has temporarily suspended all non-essential operations at the Worsley Alumina refinery. This pause in activity is designed to ensure the safety and stability of the site while a thorough understanding of the events unfolds. “Work not critical to the safety and stability of the site has been temporarily suspended,” a company representative stated. “We are taking steps to understand what happened and assisting relevant authorities with their inquiries.”

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, through its WorkSafe division, has also confirmed its involvement in the investigation. While unable to provide further comment at this stage, Commissioner Sally North described the incident as a “tragedy” and offered her condolences to all those impacted.

Union Demands Full and Transparent Investigation

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) has joined the chorus of concern, with state secretary Steve McCartney expressing profound condolences to the deceased contractor’s family. Mr. McCartney emphasised the union’s commitment to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatality.

“We will be investigating in the near future and making sure that it never happens again,” Mr. McCartney declared. He highlighted that workplace fatalities invariably raise critical questions about the adherence to and enforcement of existing safety procedures.

The union’s stance is clear: any shortcomings identified must be addressed to prevent future tragedies. “[We will be] making sure, if there have been any mistakes, then those mistakes don’t happen again,” Mr. McCartney reiterated. He further stressed the AMWU’s role in representing its members and ensuring accountability. “The next step now is the union always represents their people, and we’ll be investigating this issue.”

The Worsley Alumina refinery is a significant operation, and the safety of its workforce, including contractors, is paramount. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in the resources sector and the continuous need for vigilance and robust safety protocols. The findings of the investigations by WorkSafe, the police, and the union will be crucial in determining the contributing factors to this devastating event and in reinforcing safety measures across the industry.