SafeWork SA issued a safety warning after the incident reminding miners that sunlight refracting through transparent bottles that contained clear liquids, could cause fires.
The clear plastic water bottles had been left on a pallet sitting in the sun when the sunlight refracted through, with the heat created causing the bottles to melt and partially burn the cardboard and wooden pallet.
Luckily workers on site spotted the fire and extinguished it before it spread or caused injury.
According to SafeWork SA the risk was well-known in the industry, with 29 incidents recorded in Western Australia between 2020 and 2023.
Most of the incidents involved transparent plastic bottles filled with water being stored in direct sunlight.
To avoid ignition, SafeWork SA advises businesses:
- Utilise an undercover or shaded area for unloading transparent bottles containing clear liquid;
- Store transparent bottles containing clear liquid in an undercover, enclosed or shaded area where sunlight cannot shine through the bottles;
- Cover transparent bottles containing clear liquids if they are exposed to direct sunlight; and
- Store clear drink bottles in vehicles away from direct sunlight.
