Prosecution Details

Being an employer, failed so far as was practicable to provide and maintain a working environment in which its employees were not exposed to hazards and in particular failed to provide and maintain plant such that, so far as was practicable, its employees were not exposed to hazards.

Two employees were cutting 20mm thick laminated glass at the defendants premises. The injured employee applied methylated spirits to the laminate through a 2 litre plastic coke bottle. The extra thick glass being cut was a small piece approximately 30cm wide.

The other employee ignited the methylated spirits and the injured employee waited until the flame appeared to be out, and then re-applied the methylated spirit to the cut.

The methylated spirits ignited and as a result the plastic coke bottle exploded within seconds. The injured employee ran to the rear of the factory where two employees tried to smother him and pull his jumper off. The other employee was extinguished by a co-worker.

The injured employee was admitted to the burns unit at Royal Perth Hospital. He received burns to his arms, hands, neck and face region.

A guilty plea was entered.