Alcoa of Australia Limited was fined $400,000 and ordered to pay $5,536.70 in costs after an uncontrolled release of caustic liquid at its Kwinana refinery in September 2022 caused workers, including school students on a work experience placement, to receive burns.
At Rockingham Magistrates Court in March 2025, Alcoa pleaded guilty to failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, thereby contravening sections 19(1) and 32(1). Alcoa exposed the workers to a risk of death, injury or harm to health.
The workers received caustic burns that required first aid and subsequent medical attention after a discharge drainpipe released liquid uncontrollably during an emergency pump change.
