Glass Tech Australia Pty Ltd

On 26 May 2017 a delivery driver sustained an injury while unloading glass sheeting delivered to Glass Tech Australia Pty Ltd’s (Glass Tech) factory in Hume, ACT. The driver was struck by a falling glass panel and suffered a concussion, rib fractures and compression fractures to the C6 and C7 vertebrae. WorkSafe ACT inspectors investigated the incident.

It was subsequently alleged by the regulator that Glass Tech had a health and duty under section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act) and it failed to comply with that duty, in contravention of section 32.

The regulator considered a proposal for a work health and safety undertaking from Glass Tech. The proposal met the regulator’s general guidelines for the acceptance of WHS undertakings under the Act, and was consistent with WorkSafe ACT’s published guidance material for enforceable undertakings.

The proposal was accepted and became an enforceable undertaking in April 2018. The undertaking will deliver safety benefits to workers, to the glass industry and to the community. The undertaking included a statement of regret, that Glass Tech sincerely regrets the alleged contravention and extends its sympathy to the injured worker, the injured worker’s family, and all others who have been affected.

The total financial commitment of the undertaking is $300,000.

The undertaking requires Glass Tech to comply with measures including:

  • An extensive upgrade of Glass Tech’s machinery to reduce manual handling, including changes in delivery method so that glass products will be delivered in containers and unloaded with an overhead crane. In addition, upgrades to glass process and polishing lines to introduce robots designed to load glass, and sound proofing of the blower dryer;
  • Implementation of work health and safety (WHS) training programs for employees of Glass Tech, including training in forklift operation leading to licences for multiple employees;
  • Introduction of a reward scheme to encourage individual employees to undertake external safety training leading to accreditation;
  • Engaging safety consultants on an annual basis to monitor safety and assist in implementing any further necessary changes to Glass Tech’s practice and annual external audits of Glass Tech’s Work Health and Safety Management System;
  • Implementation of a reporting system to enable workers to report safety incidents and to identify WHS hazards;
  • Implementation of a safety induction program for workers commencing on site;
  • Engagement with the Canberra Institute of Technology and commitment to:
    • supply glass stock, hardware and consumables for the glazing trade course;
    • provide ongoing industry training to glass industry trade teachers;
    • facilitate guided tours, of the Hume factory, to glazing trade students and faculty to promote changes in the industry, and enhance students’ understanding of the day to day application of their knowledge in an industry setting.
  • Donations to the ACT Red Cross:
    • The gift of a Ford Mondeo diesel titanium station wagon to be used as an on-call vehicle for the organisation, for example, for services such as patient transportation and medical support;
    • A donation to allow the Red Cross to purchase two Laboratory Freezer units and a further cash donation to assist with the purchase of a third Laboratory Freezer unit, used for the safe storage of donated breast milk for premature babies.
    • As part of the commitment to the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) as outlined in measure 7 above, Glass Tech Pty Ltd will pay the training expenses as listed below to replace the previously agreed commitment to facilitate guided tours of the Hume factory, to glazing trade students and faculty to promote changes in the industry.
  • Pay $2875.00 as per the CIT receipt by 30 September 2019; and
  • Pay a second training instalment in the amount of $2,250 as per the CIT receipt by 30 May 2020.

Enforceable Undertaking - Glass Tech Australia Pty Ltd (PDF 346KB)

Amendment to Enforceable Undertaking - Glass Tech Australia Pty Ltd (PDF 4.9MB)

This enforceable undertaking was discharged on 1 March 2021.

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