The company that managed Morley Galleria Shopping Centre when two men were killed and two severely injured in an explosion in 2015 has been fined $45,000.
Vicinity Custodian Pty Ltd, as the entity in control of the workplace, was found guilty of failing to ensure safe access and egress for persons who were not its employees, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court yesterday.
In February 2015, high voltage switchgear filled with oil exploded in a substation at Morley Galleria Shopping Centre, killing two workers and severely burning two others.
At the time of the incident, Vicinity Custodian was the appointed manager of the centre, responsible for taking adequate steps and reasonable precautions to ensure the Galleria was a safe place for the public at large.
When fire-fighters entered the substation after the incident, they found a wooden bench in front of the emergency exit. This blocked emergency exit was the closest door to the switchgear that exploded, so the victims had to exit another door further from the explosion site.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said the company had failed in its responsibility to keep the substation safe for anyone working in or visiting it.
“The substation in which this incident happened was effectively being used as a storeroom, containing a wooden bench, shopping trolleys and several wooden bins,” Mr Kavanagh said.
“The use of substations to store miscellaneous items was clearly a hazard, as was blocking the emergency exit door with a wooden bench.
“The company’s Operations Manager, who held the key to the substation and managed access to the room, had been told at least three times prior to this incident that the substation should not be used for storage, but had not taken any action to stop the practice.
“Although it was not alleged that Vicinity Custodian caused the deaths and injuries that resulted from the explosion, the company did fail to provide safe access and egress for the workers involved.
“Other companies involved in the management of such venues should take note of this case and ensure that only areas designated as such should be used as storerooms.”
