Alcoa fined $400,000 after workers, students burned by caustic solution at Australian refinery.

Alcoa, an aluminum company, was fined $400,000 for a 2022 incident at its Kwinana refinery in Australia where a caustic solution burned workers and students on work experience. The accident happened when a faulty pump caused an uncontrolled discharge of hot caustic solution after a worker unknowingly restarted a pump. WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North emphasized the importance of workplace safety for all personnel. Since the incident, Alcoa has initiated a project to reduce chemical exposure risks.