Property&Build: October 2021 - January 2022

Page 64

October 2021 - January 2022

Pest control company’s ‘home brew’ 1080 leaves worker hospitalised A pest bait manufacturing organisation has been fined $275,000 over an incident in which a worker was poisoned in May 2019 and nearly lost his life

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

P

est Control Research Limited Partnership (PCR) manufactures pest control products including baits containing sodium fluoroacetate (more commonly known as 1080) as the toxic active ingredient. In 2018-2019 PCR was experiencing issues with the ongoing supply of sodium fluoroacetate and set up an internal project codenamed the “Home Brew Project” / “Project X” to manufacture its own supply of the highly toxic substance. “Health and safety requirements were not met from the very start of this project and cumulatively design, fabrication and process errors ultimately resulted in workers being exposed to highly toxic vapour from a failure in the manufacturing process and in PCR’s overall safety management systems,” says Dr Catherine Gardner, Head of Specialist Interventions. “One worker spent four weeks in hospital being treated for fluoroacetate poisoning and a further two months recuperating out of hospital. His urine fluoroacetate reading was more than 500 times higher than WorkSafe’s Biological Exposure Index limit and he was extremely lucky to survive.” The incident occurred during the first trial produc64 safetynews.co.nz

tion of sodium fluoroacetate when an unexpected chemical reaction resulted in a loss of containment. The work was being undertaken inside a purpose built self-contained chemical processing container inside an empty industrial unit in Bromley, Christchurch. WorkSafe’s investigation into the incident uncovered a series of failings: There was no structured hazard and operability study prior to commissioning the operation; PCR did not obtain a peer review of the proposed chemical process, plant, and equipment from a competent person; PCR failed to ensure that there were safe ventilation arrangements for the chemical processing container (including for when it was operating under negative pressure), PCR failed to ensure that

a commercial proprietary pressure relief valve was used on the processing container’s reactor; PCR failed to develop, document, implement, and communicate a safe system of work for the operation of the process including detailed operating procedures, automatic data logging, appropriate personal protective equipment, and an emergency response plan. PCR failed to test its chemical process and processing container by ensuring that a trial run was completed with a more benign raw material PCR failed to take any steps to obtain a Hazardous Substances Location Compliance Certificate and did not meet fundamental safety requirements to obtain a compliance certificate (including failing to notify WorkSafe, failing to display any signage on the outside of the Bromley building and

inadequate signage on the process container itself, failing to prepare an emergency response plan and a site plan). They had also failed to ensure that a safety data sheet was readily accessible at the site for emergency service workers. “PCR is experienced in handling and manufacturing hazardous substances but in this case, it would seem that their enthusiasm to create their own active ingredient has over-ridden the legal obligation to ensure their workers were protected. It was an operation they knew was dangerous and could have potentially fatal consequences” says Gardner. PCR was fined $275,000. Reparation of $8,177 was ordered (in addition to what the Defendant had already paid voluntarily to the victim). Costs of $96,603.94 were awarded to WorkSafe.


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The fight for common sense and a reasoned debate

3min
pages 82-84

Transmission Gully - what went wrong?

11min
pages 74-77

Australian construction industry cries out for reform

4min
pages 66-67

The New Zealand Upgrade Programme cost blowout

10min
pages 78-81

In search of the perfect surface - contractor invents new earth compactor

2min
pages 68-69

How scalable data centres help Mainfreight’s vision

2min
page 73

Multi-purpose, safer, faster telehandlers increase productivity

3min
pages 64-65

Immigration policies hindering construction sector

6min
pages 70-72

AC Filter - an engineered solution protecting worker health

1min
page 63

Latest lockdown puts ongoing strain on construction

6min
pages 61-62

Is standardised training the way forward?

2min
pages 57-60

Priming your business for post-lockdown recovery

4min
pages 48-49

Surviving as a modern business

4min
pages 52-53

Homebrew 1080 poison hospitalises worker

2min
page 56

Tips and myths around dogs

2min
pages 46-47

Chemical safety relies on meaningful cooperation

3min
pages 54-55

Safety app a crucial element in building site safety

2min
page 45

Radio technology keeps workers safe and compliant

1min
page 44

Bastion NZ launch Industrial glove range

1min
pages 36-37

Has your fuel gone off?

5min
pages 32-33

Remote working putting organisations at risk

2min
page 38

Unlearning misguided muscle training

6min
pages 42-43

Industry leader in soft fall protection on construction sites

2min
page 41

Toxic fumigant banned

3min
pages 34-35

No better investment than chemical safety training

3min
page 31

Critical infrastructure vulnerable to hackers

5min
pages 39-40

Tax changes threaten rental market

4min
pages 14-15

New Zealand's housing crisis a breach of human rights

9min
pages 16-19

Kiwi Property kick starts build-to-rent in New Zealand

2min
pages 24-25

China builds apartment block in a day

1min
page 23

Where is housing most affordable in New Zealand?

6min
pages 8-9

Facilities management with personal service

3min
pages 4-7

Site Safe Awards finalists announced

1min
page 3

3D-printed housing

6min
pages 20-22
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