A WorkSafe investigation has found safety procedures were not followed and correct equipment was not used during the Viva refinery fire in April.
The Geelong Advertiser revealed that month that a firefighter had received life threatening chemical burns treatment after attending the blaze and that it was due to incorrect protective clothing.
The firefighter’s injuries were investigated by WorkSafe as a separate incident to the complex investigation into the major fire, which was expected to take more than 12 months.
In May, an FRV spokeswoman told the Geelong Advertiser the firefighter had been wearing “international standard fit-for-purpose PPE” at the time of the incident.
A Viva Energy spokesman, at the time, said: “Viva Energy has verified that correct PPE was supplied on the night in question as well as ongoing compliance.”
But in a report obtained by 10 News this week, WorkSafe confirmed personal protective clothing with “unknown safety requirements” was used.
The report also stated the FRV safety officer was not consulted on the suitability of the PPE worn, finding multiple of the fire services own safety procedures were not followed.
A source told the Addy in April the firefighter was sent into a section of the refinery to take gas readings.
“They had set up monitors to take air readings for flammable explosive gases, hydrocarbons and such,” a source told the Addy at the time.
“She was sent in to take readings using an FRV breathing apparatus, but was given a Tyvek suit from VIVA.
“There was some contention about her wearing (the suit), but she was told to wear it.
“My understanding is they got splashed with fire water, in the refinery they recycle their water, then nothing really happened at the time, but then she wasn’t decontaminated correctly either.
“She came out very badly with heavy skin rashes around her neck and arms, severe coughing, breathing difficulties, and then obviously mental trauma.”
A statement from FRV on Tuesday said the health and safety of all first responders was their “highest priority”.
“Fire Rescue Victoria reviews every incident we respond to, and through any learnings, continually improves our operational practices,” the spokesman said.
Viva Energy, WorkSafe Victoria and the United Firefighters Union were contacted for comment.
The fire, at one of the nation’s two refineries, broke out about 11pm on April 15.
It took crews 13 hours to control and led to major and ongoing disruptions to the nation’s fuel supply.
The Viva Energy site supplies half of Victoria’s and 10 per cent of the nation’s fuel and can process about 120,000 barrels of oil each day.
Viva Energy was prosecuted in 2022 for failing to supply high class protective gear for workers handling hydrofluoric acid in the facility’s Alkylation unit.
Viva pleaded guilty and was fined $110,000.
Extracted in full from: https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/worksafe-probe-reveals-safety-failures-and-wrong-ppe-used-during-viva-refinery-fire/news-story/d5c9d34ace5572a88c22d513ef9249d8
