WorkSafe WA to perform high-risk pressure vessel inspections

Western Australian plants working with high-risk pressure vessels could soon get a visit from WorkSafe WA inspectors as part of a program that aims to improve compliance with relevant safety regulations. The program — which will run throughout the 2019–20 financial year — will focus on some of the state’s highest risk pressure vessels in metropolitan and regional areas.

“These vessels are used for the processing and storage of large amounts of industrial gases such as natural gas, liquid petroleum gas and oxygen,” said WorkSafe WA Director Sally North. “Poor maintenance of these vessels can potentially result in serious and destructive industrial incidents, so this inspection program will concentrate on checking whether they are being inspected by competent persons and properly maintained.”

Inspectors will target facilities identified as potentially high-risk plants from a database of plants registered with WorkSafe WA, according to North.

“The Plant and Engineering Team will inspect these vessels with a primary focus of raising awareness and providing information to employers and employees, but enforcement action will be taken if breaches of the laws are found,” she said. “These proactive inspection programs aim to help employers to comply with workplace safety laws, and we firmly believe that raising awareness is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”

The program is one of several being conducted by WorkSafe WA, including one looking at safety standards and issues in commercial kitchens.

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