Australian Pet Brands (APB) will spend more than $1.375 million on safety upgrades following a major chemical spill at its Dubbo facility.
In August 2023, around 300 litres of phosphoric acid leaked from a drum in the production tower after a valve failure, causing acid to spread across several levels of the building. Emergency HAZMAT crews were called in to manage the clean-up.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has accepted a legally binding Enforceable Undertaking (EU) from APB, requiring significant changes to prevent similar incidents in future.
EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations, Jason Gordon, said the spill posed a significant risk despite no environmental harm occurring.
“This was a serious chemical spill that demanded an emergency services response. Fortunately, no environmental harm occurred, but the potential risk was significant,” Gordon said.
Under the EU, APB will relocate its acid dosing system from the production tower’s top floor to the ground level and automate processes that were previously carried out manually, including valve controls for dosing and holding tanks. The upgrades are designed to minimise spill risks and ensure any leaks can be contained quickly.
“APB must pay more than a million dollars in major infrastructure upgrades to reduce the likelihood of similar events and ensure any incidents can be contained and addressed quickly and effectively,” Gordon said.
“These changes will not only make the site safer for workers, but they’ll also provide stronger protection for the environment by improving how chemicals are stored, handled and monitored.”
APB is also required to strengthen its spill containment systems and improve staff training and inspection procedures. The EPA will oversee compliance through detailed progress reports to ensure all obligations are met.
As part of the undertaking, APB will contribute $75,000 to the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre to help repair and upgrade its model wetland teaching facility.
“It’s great to see this payment going towards a local environmental project that gives back to the community and helps educate people about wetlands and sustainability,” Gordon said.
Enforceable Undertakings are legally binding agreements used by the EPA to ensure companies take responsibility for environmental risks and make meaningful improvements.
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