The POVB and PSA were in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on Wednesday 5 June before Chief Commissioner Constant, regarding the WHS issues raised at Silverwater Women’s CC following a cell fire caused by an in-cell OTAB lithium-ion battery igniting.

The Safe Work NSW inspection report into the SWCC incident stated the inspector did not observe any issues that posed a serious or immediate risk to health and safety.

The POVB on that basis is satisfied the smoke hoods and fire extinguishers in NSW Correctional Centres meet Australian Standards. It was emphasised that smoke hoods are only suitable for staff to evacuate up to 15 minutes and to call NSW Fire & Rescue to attend. The fire extinguishers should only be used to extinguish fires that are considered minor, as per the COPP.

Safe Work NSW also issued CSNSW three Improvement Notices that are to be addressed in all Correctional Centres by 28 June 2024:

1. Safety Data Sheets related to CS Gas must be displayed where CS Gas is stored.
2. CSNSW emergency plans are inadequate and must be reviewed and modified to include lithium-ion battery fires or other damage.
3. CSNSW staff may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety due to fire and/or explosion as CSNSW has not provided adequate information, training and instruction regarding hazards associated with handling and charging Li powered TG801 tablets located at the workplace. The nature of the work, nature of risks associated with the Li powered tablets and the control measures to be implemented have not been taken into account when providing information, training and instruction to workers. e.g. damaged Li batteries, overcharging etc. CSNSW must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable that:

• the information, training and instruction provided to workers is suitable and adequate to enable the handling and charging of Li powered TG801 tablets to be safely carried out.
• the nature of the work, nature of risks associated with the handling and charging of Li powered TG801 tablets and the control measures to be implemented are taken into account when providing information, training and instruction to workers.
• the information, training and instruction provided to workers is readily understandable to enable the handling and charging of Li powered TG801 tablets to be carried out safely.
• that workers representatives, HSRs and WHS Committees are consulted as required by S49 of the WHS Act 2011 when complying with this notice.

Measures have been put in place at Silverwater Women’s CC for the POVB to resume issuing tablets to inmates today. SWCC POVB sub-branch rescinded its motion today and thank all POVB sub-branches for their support.

The next stage is for CSNSW to comply with the Safe Work NSW Improvement Notices before 28 June 2024. The POVB expects updates to the COPP, the removal of OTAB charging trolleys that do not comply with the relevant safety standards, the purchase of metal buckets and shovels to store fire damaged lithium-ion batteries and the appropriate training.

We encourage all staff to report any further incidents or safety hazards on Safety Suite and your centre’s Health & Safety Representative.