INPEX contractor Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been found not guilty of causing the death of a subcontractor who died in horrific circumstances at the ichthys LNG project in 2017.

Northern Territory WorkSafe laid charges against contractors Kawasaki Heavy Industries and sub-contractor Whittens Group after they allegedly "failed in their health and safety" duties resulting in the death of employee Carl Delaney in November 2017 at the Ichthys onshore LNG plant. 

According to court documents, Kawasaki has been found not guilty of negligence and causing the death of the employee. 

On November 29, 2017, Delaney was working for subcontractor Whittens conducting insulation works on one of the LNG tanks.

According to NTWorkSafe the tasks being performed were "high risk".

Delaney was working in a confined space when he fell from a height into the tank and was engulfed in an insulation called Perlite. He died of suffocation, according to a coroner's report.

He was working alone when he fell.

The report found that while workers were required to connect to safety harnesses, there was a culture of ignoring this requirement.

NTWorkSafe alleged both contractors did not provide and maintain a safe system of work and provide supervision as required under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Northern Territory Local Court judge Tanya Fong Lim quashed the charges against Kawasaki, however said the complaint against subcontractor Whittens remained. 

Source: Energy News Bulletin

Read more here