A paint manufacturer is facing charges almost two years after a factory explosion that killed one worker and seriously injured two others.
The work safety watchdog has laid four charges of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act against company Indoc Pty Ltd over the December 2023 factory blaze in Dandenong South, in Melbourne's southwest.
Workers at the factory on Superior Drive were decanting flammable liquid into drums when it ignited, resulting in an explosion and fire that engulfed the factory, WorkSafe Victoria said.
A 57-year-old worker was killed while two others, a 62-year-old from Eaglemont in Melbourne's northeast and a 44-year-old from Port Melbourne, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Two firefighters were also taken to hospital following the blaze, which required 120 crew members and 40 trucks to bring it under control.
Witnesses reported multiple explosions and smoke was visible several kilometres away, with strong winds blowing it across nearby suburbs.
WorkSafe Victoria alleges Indoc failed to reasonably provide or maintain a working environment that was safe and without health risks.
It claims the company failed to undertake an up-to-date hazardous area assessment and failed to eliminate non-intrinsically safe equipment from where flammable liquid transfer was occurring.
WorkSafe also alleges Indoc twice breached the OHS Act by failing to provide or maintain a safe system of work for transferring flammable liquids into drums, and failed to supervise workers to ensure earthing and bonding controls and a spear or filling pipe were in place before the transfer of flammable liquids into drums.
The matter will be heard at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on December 8.
