Mine owner and operator FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd has been fined $810,000 and ordered to pay $11,096.20 in costs by the Albany Magistrates Court over an incident in which a worker suffered a serious spinal injury.
On 18 March 2023, the injured worker was carrying out maintenance on the Saprolite Stacker at FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd’s Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation processing plant when a heavy plant component known as a Roman Shield moved and struck him. The injured worker required spinal fusion surgery, extensive treatment and rehabilitation. The injured worker continues to experience ongoing pain and reduced mobility.
FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to contravening sections 19(1) and 31(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020. The company failed to comply with a health and safety duty and, by that failure, caused serious harm to a worker. Read the media release for more information about the prosecution.
