WorkSafe Alleges Negligence in Fatal Incident at South32's Worsley Alumina Refinery
A leaked document from WorkSafe, Western Australia's safety regulator, has accused South32 of negligence following the death of Simon Mukwarami at the Worsley Alumina refinery near Collie. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 14, when Mukwarami, a 47-year-old boilermaker, fell through a grid mesh walkway while working on a digester, resulting in his tragic death.
Safety Inspector's Critical Findings
The WorkSafe notice provided to South32 after the fatality highlighted severe safety lapses on site. The safety inspector observed that sections of grid mesh had been removed from the floor, with no controls in place to prevent a fall, including the absence of fall-arrest equipment. Additionally, scaffolding with temporary guardrails was installed without proper post supports at correct span intervals. Based on these observations, the inspector formed a reasonable belief that the workplace management failed to provide adequate protection against fall risks.
South32's Response and Previous Incidents
In response to the scathing assessment, a South32 spokesman stated that the company "takes the safety of its workforce seriously" and is cooperating with authorities in ongoing investigations. The company expressed sincere condolences to Mukwarami's family, friends, and colleagues. The WorkSafe inspector also referenced previous serious incidents at the site involving falls, such as the death of 66-year-old Colin Whitton in September 2014 after a fall down an elevator shaft, suggesting a risk of repeated offenses.
Context and Community Impact
This fatality marks the first death at a Western Australian mine site or refinery since August 2025. Notably, WorkSafe awarded South32's Worsley Alumina two out of seven awards at its annual safety excellence awards in October, the most of any mining or refining operation. Miner's Promise, a Perth-based charity supporting bereaved mining families, has called for donations for Mukwarami's family, describing him as a loving husband and father who was building a life full of hope in Australia. Social media tributes from former colleagues at Worsley and Rio Tinto's Argyle diamond mine remembered him fondly, with one post stating, "Rest in peace Simon, the world has lost a genuinely good soul."
WorkSafe has not yet disclosed any planned prosecutions related to Mukwarami's death, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding this workplace tragedy.
