Wellington Solar Farm has come under spotlight following reports by the Electrical Trades Union of several 'major safety risks', which it claims puts more than 500 on-site workers in danger.
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On September 8 the site was placed under a SafeWork NSW Prohibition Order which saw work cease until an exclusion zone was created under a powerline following a 'potentially fatal collision' between a drilling rig truck and a high voltage 132 kv transmission powerline.
A second incident occurred on Monday when the site ran out of water, resulting in tanks being turned on their sides to extract the remaining residue which workers reported was tainted with sediment.
ETU organiser Nick Bligh visited the solar farm after reports from union members of problems on the site.
Mr Bligh conducted a safety inspection on Monday and compiled a full safety report which was 'immediately' lodged with SafeWork NSW.
ETU NSW and ACT Secretary Justin Page said the ETU compiled and supplied evident that "generators, switchboards and other assets are not tagged, tested or locked, as required under Australian standards".
"There is no mechanical protection for the sub-main cables, which also breaches the standards. The list goes on, as documented in our report to SafeWork," Mr Page said.
A spokesperson for SafeWork NSW said a review of the concerns raised by the ETU related to the Wellington site was commenced on September 15.
"Initial inquiries with the ETU and principle contractor were followed up with an inspection on September 16 2020 and as a result three improvement notices will be issued," the spokesperson said.
"SafeWork requires that high risk workplaces, such as construction and infrastructure sites, implement and maintain controls and reminds all principle contractors of their safety obligations."
Wellington Solar Farm were contacted and did not respond before press time.
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