CORPORATE farmer Lawson Grains has been convicted and fined a total of $210,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW after a worker was injured in a workplace fire more than three years ago.

The conviction came as a result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW.

The proceedings arose from an incident on 11 December 2023 when a worker was collecting and analysing grain samples using a vacuum connected to a petrol-powered generator.

The worker attempted to refuel the generator by pouring petrol into it from a jerry can which resulted in a fire.

The incident occurred at Lawson Grains’ Uah aggregation, centred at Garema, south of Forbes in central NSW.

Lawson Grains Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

The offence related to failure to comply with the duty to ensure the health and safety of workers as required under section 19(1) of the Act.

Lawson Grains Ltd has the right to appeal against the sentence.

The Uah Aggregation covers more than 10,000ha in the Garema district. File photo: Lawson Grains

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said businesses and workers should be aware of the range of resources to help manage the risks of working with plant, machinery and equipment.

“Risk control measures when working with plant and fixed machinery are well known,” Commissioner Schorer said.

“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workplaces are safe for employees and contractors.

“Having an awareness of and assessing risks, along with implementation of safe systems of work, is key to reducing risk and harm in workplaces.”

Lawson Grains is owned by New Forests and Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), one of Canada’s largest and most diversified institutional investment managers.

The organisation farms more than 120,000 arable hectares across 11 aggregated properties in NSW and Western Australia.

Source: SafeWork NSW, Lawson Grains