Oil refinery charged for safety breaches

Viva has been charged with a total of 11 contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act following the incidents at its Corio refinery on 5 November and 4 December 2017.

This includes nine contraventions of section 21 of the Act, for failing to provide for employees, as far as reasonably practicable, a workplace that was safe and without risks to health and safety.

In particular, these contraventions include failing to provide safe systems of work, adequate training and safe plant.

Viva has also been charged with contravening sections 37 and 38 of the Act, for failing to notify WorkSafe after becoming aware of a serious incident, and for failing to provide a written record to WorkSafe within 48 hours of the incident.

The charges have been filed in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court.