Vic Pub Fined After CO2 Cellar Death

[Dave Whitefield]

It is reasonably standard now in the hotel industry to have CO2 detectors installed in cellars and cold rooms where there is a risk of gas leak.  While it is not mandatory, there is an Australian Standard for gas handling in relation to beverages, and it says you should have a detector.  So this is a good example of an Australian Standard not being mandatory, but it still representing guidance material.  With it being both industry practice, and required under an Aus Std, it would be hard to defend a case like this one.

Thursday 18 October, 2012

A company in Victoria has been convicted and fined $80,000 following the death of a worker who was overcome by carbon dioxide gas in the cellar of a Birregurra hotel.

Hillcrest Private Nursing Home, which operated the Royal Mail Hotel, was found guilty by the Geelong Magistrates’ Court of one offence of failing to provide a safe system of work under section 21(1)&(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

The charge related to an incident in March 2011, when a 54-year-old man collapsed and died while moving empty beer kegs which were connected to carbon dioxide cylinders in the hotel cellar.

WorkSafe Victoria’s investigation into the incident found a cylinder containing carbon dioxide had leaked resulting in a significant increase in the level of gas in the cellar when the man entered.

Following the incident, WorkSafe directed the Royal Mail Hotel to install a cellar alarm system to warn workers of carbon dioxide leaks before they enter.

Cylinders storing carbon dioxide and nitrogen – which are used to carbonate beer and soft drinks – can be dangerous if they develop leaks, particularly when stored in enclosed spaces like cellars and cool rooms. Leaks can also occur at other points in the system, for example pipe fittings.

An appropriate alarm system alerts people to the presence of a gas leak and warns them not to enter the area.

The case is a timely reminder of the risks of working in confined spaces, according to WorkSafe Victoria’s regional director, Adam Rogers.

“With or without a gas leak or chemical exposure, limited means of entry and exit, poor circulation, and working in confined spaces, is dangerous,” he said.

“This isn’t just an issue for pubs and clubs – small and large organisations across industry have a responsibility to make sure workers are safe.

“It’s essential that appropriate controls and training are in place to manage these risks, because if they’re not, the risk of death or serious injury is high.”