Gin and whisky distilleries are on the rocks after fatal explosion with upcoming safety audits across South Australia

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published on the SafeWork SA website.

Gin and whisky distilleries across the State will be audited for the first time by SafeWork SA inspectors to reduce the risks to workers and the public. A dramatic rise in locally-produced spirits has seen the number of distilleries in South Australia grow tenfold in the past decade. There are now more than 120 distillers making gin, whiskey, vodka and rum in SA.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said:

“The dramatic rise in the number of distilleries in SA in recent years has prompted the six-month campaign."

“With any burgeoning industry, there is the possibility that work health and safety risks have not been identified or adequately addressed by the business operators."

Fatal explosion warrants safety inspections from May this year

Distilleries produce and store highly flammable liquids, including ethanol, and create risks associated with explosive atmospheres, confined spaces, pressure vessels, electrical safety, chemicals, cylinder storage, and pallet racking.

“Distilleries are inherently hazardous places as they store and use highly flammable liquids and present electrical safety risks as well as slip, trip, and fall hazards.“

In 2021, an explosion at a Tasmanian distillery caused critical injuries to a worker and $2 million damage to the facility. From May this year, SafeWork SA inspectors will inspect distilleries across the state to ensure compliance with the work health and safety laws and dangerous substances regulations. Throughout the six-month campaign, compliance activities will focus on:

• Explosive atmospheres
• Pressure vessel use, testing and registration of plant
• Electrical safety
• Chemical and cylinder storage
• Pallet racking of stored goods
• Slips, trips, and falls facing workers

If a work health and safety risk is identified during the audit and cannot be remedied while the inspector is on site, a statutory notice will be issued.

The inspectors will also provide advice, information and education in relation to compliance with the work health and safety laws.

"This audit will provide us with a good understanding of the level of compliance with workplace safety laws in the distilleries sector and will enable our education and advisory services to work with businesses where necessary.”

Helpful resources

A comprehensive suite of materials, including legislative requirements, industry standards, and guides to managing work health and safety risks in distilleries is available at on the SafeWork SA website.

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Sources

Ensuring distillers are top-shelf on safety by SafeWork SA, 3rd May, 2024.

Man injured in fire at Adams Distillery in northern Tasmania by ABC, 9th February, 2021.

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