LNG

JKC denies Ichthys safety culture problem

ICHTHYS' contracting consortium JKC has denied allegations of cover-ups at Inpex's $US34 billion Ichthys LNG project in the Northern Territory after unions told <i>Energy News</i> yesterday about a litany of incidents leading to hospitalisations were not reported by subcontractor UGL Kentz.

JKC denies Ichthys safety culture problem

"JKC Australia LNG is aware that certain allegations have been made by Unions NT regarding the Ichthys project onshore LNG facilities," JKC told Energy News.

"Safety is our number one value on the project, it is prioritised above all else, and we strongly reject any assertions to the contrary.

"The project has a strong track record of proactive safety leadership and management. In terms of incident reporting, JKC works closely with NT WorkSafe and reports all notifiable incidents in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act.

"All events on site are reported, recorded and investigated in accordance with Australian legislative requirements, international and Australian standards, and contractor site procedures."

The latest incident in what Unions NT described as "a litany of breaches of reporting protocols" occurred last week when a worker - who is not an Electrical Trades Union member - was crushed but not killed on an elevated platform, which led to his hospitalisation.

More than that, Unions NT secretary Paul Kirby said his officials had experienced access issues at Ichthys, with physical confrontations occurring.

He said that following last week's incident, union officials arrived at site 7am Monday morning and were denied access to site until 3pm, despite divulging what area they needed to visit early that morning.

"Once performing the inspections it became clear the contraventions were factual, and in the process of being repaired while the officials were being delayed," the union said.

"The delays continued over the next few days and at times particular JKC managers resorted to physically restraining union officials from entering areas where concerns had been raised. They also demanded union officials not be allowed to use the toilets on site."

Access to accident sites is legally required to be unimpeded for "genuine safety concerns", and the unions were concerned that when they are needed to intervene for critical safety reasons, they would again be prevented from entering the site.

Yesterday, JKC told Energy News that it was cooperating with union organisers at Bladin Point in an effort to continue a constructive working relationship with them.

JKC said it had facilitated about 1000 site visits with union organisers over the life of the project so far, with more than 400 of these visits having been facilitated so far this year.

"JKC has strict site access procedures in place, which are in line with requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act, to ensure the safety of our workforce and visitors to site," the consortium said.

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