SafeWork SA launches criminal proceedings against AGL over 'unsafe' lead levels

SafeWork SA has lodged criminal proceedings against energy giant AGL, alleging the company exposed workers to "unsafe levels of lead" at its Torrens Island plant.

Last year, the ABC revealed workers, including AGL employees, had been affected by lead exposure while working on the decommissioning project of the power station north of Adelaide.  

At the time, the energy giant was also accused of multiple breaches of work safety laws and regulations during its decommissioning of the station by South Australia's electrical and plumbing union.

In a statement, SafeWork SA said it launched legal action in the South Australian Employment Court on May 16, following a "lengthy and complex investigation".  

It said AGL Torrens Island failed to comply with its health and safety duty, when its workers were allegedly exposed to unsafe lead levels during the plant's decommissioning process between October 2022 and April 2023.  

"This involved de-energising, or preparing to de-energise, cabling throughout the power station, allegedly exposing the workers to lead or lead dust," the statement said.

"Personal protective equipment was provided — but allegedly did not include a full-face respirator.

"Five workers allegedly recorded an elevated blood lead level subsequent to the work."

AGL has been charged with a category two offence to the Work Health and Safety Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $1.5m.

"As the matter is before the courts, SafeWork SA is unable to provide any further information at this time," SafeWork said in its statement.  

In a statement, an AGL spokesperson confirmed the legal action had been launched and said it could not provide further comment.  

"AGL reported the event to SafeWork SA in May 2023 and has been working co-operatively with SafeWork SA," a spokesperson said.  

"Health and safety is a core value of AGL and is an integral part of the way we work.

"As this is an ongoing matter, AGL cannot comment further at this time."

Union welcomes legal action

Secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union's (CEPU) South Australian branch John Adley told ABC Radio Adelaide he first became aware of the issue two years ago, when workers began falling "seriously ill".

"There was inability to sleep, weight loss, physical illness, inability to eat, chronic fatigue ... and these went for a very long period of time and it was particularly concerning for workers because they didn't really know why it was happening," Mr Adley said.

"It wasn't until there was an investigation into what was suspected to be lead paint that the toxicity and the danger of the lead cables became apparent to the workers."

Mr Adley said he believed the charges would send a "strong message" to employers about the risks of lead.  

"It’s pretty rare to see this kind of charge being laid," he said.  

"There is a lack of awareness generally about the risks of lead, and this is a big concern.

"Lead is extremely sticky and what has happened in this case and other cases is that workers working with lead take lead home on them and it can cause serious illness to their families and particularly their children who are very susceptible to lead."

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said he welcomed SafeWork taking "strong action" against AGL.  

"If it is confirmed through a court process that AGL is guilty of the charges that have been laid, that is a very poor reflection on them indeed," Mr Malinauskas said.  

"This is a highly profitable company that has the capacity and wherewithal to make sure that their workers are safe.

"We should never see profit trump the safety of employees ... this is something we want SafeWork to actively police."

‍

‍

‍

Source:

SafeWork SA Launches Criminal Proceedings Against AGL over 'unsafe' lead Levels - ABC, May 2025