In a repeat of history WorkSafe Victoria has charged a chemical manufacturer following their second significant fire in Derrimut in July 2024. The fire was sparked by a static electricity discharge during the process of decanting dangerous goods from an intermediate bulk container into a 20-litre drum.
ACB Group Pty Ltd faces three charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment and twice failing to provide adequate information, instruction and training and necessary supervision to workers, and two charges under section 31(1) of the Dangerous goods Act for failing to take all reasonable precautions as an occupier of a premises where dangerous goods are manufactured and stored.
It is further alleged the company twice breached section 31(1)(a) of the DG Act by failing to take all reasonable precautions to prevent a fire or explosion, and to prevent damage to property because of an accident.
The 2024 fire destroyed a building which produces and stores plastic shipping pallets. Five workers, who were on the site, but in other buildings, were safely evacuated.
In October 2025 WorkSafe charged ACB Group with three charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in relation to a similar fire in October 2023 after which a worker died. The 44-year-old man was working inside the factory when an explosion and fire occurred during the blending of flammable liquids.
Also in 2025, WorkSafe charged a director of the ACB Group with two charges under section 144 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to take reasonable care as an officer in relation to the 2023 fire. WorkSafe alleges that the general manager knew or ought to have known the risks associated with static electricity discharges yet failed to implement a safe system of work and failed to ensure workers received necessary information, instruction and training.
Following both the October 2023 fire and the July 2024 fire, WorkSafe issued Safety Alerts reminding employers about the serious risk of injury or death that workers face when decanting, blending or transferring flammable liquids, and recommending ways to control the risks.
Read more: WorkSafe charges manufacturer after Derrimut factory fire | WorkSafe Victoria