Energy giant AGL has been accused of exposing workers to unsafe levels of lead at a power station and is facing criminal charges.
SafeWork SA has lodged criminal proceedings against AGL Torrens Island, alleging five workers recorded elevated blood lead levels after working on the de-commissioning of its 'A' power station, near Adelaide.
The safety watchdog launched the action in the South Australian Employment Court on Friday.
The workers were tasked with de-energising, or preparing to de-energise, cabling throughout the power station, allegedly exposing them to lead or lead dust, between October 2022 and April 2023.
Personal protective equipment was provided - but allegedly did not include a full-face respirator.
It is alleged that AGL Torrens Island Pty Limited's failure to comply with its health and safety duty exposed workers to unsafe levels of lead.
AGL has been charged with a category two offence under the Work Health and Safety Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.
The matter returns to court for a directions hearing on June 19.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government had put a lot of effort into boosting SafeWork SA's activities "and this prosecution is very much evidence of that".
"I don't want to pre-empt the outcome, but if indeed it is confirmed through the court process that AGL is guilty of the charges, that is a very poor reflection on them," he said.
"This is a highly profitable company that has the capacity and wherewithal to make sure that their workers are safe."
SafeWork SA's action "sends a very clear signal to big companies that their first and most important duty is to keep their employees safe", the premier said.
