❓ A parliamentary question addresses potential special treatment and exemptions related to gas safety at the BHP hot briquetted iron plant, with the Minister denying any exemptions and affirming compliance with gas safety legislation.
AnsweredQoN 492Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the independent inquiry into the accident at a type B gas appliance at the BHP hot briquetted iron plant and the 1995 changes to the Energy Coordination Act, which interposed the Director of Energy Safety for the Commissioner of SECWA. (1) Did the minister or director give the hot briquetted iron plant special consideration and provide the necessary technical approvals in 1996 in the knowledge that the gas processing equipment proposed was high risk and varied significantly from the requirements of the gas safety legislation? (2) Did the minister or the director exempt the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act from its obligation to inspect the hot briquetted iron plant’s type B gas appliances in 1998? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(1) Did the minister or director give the hot briquetted iron plant special consideration and provide the necessary technical approvals in 1996 in the knowledge that the gas processing equipment proposed was high risk and varied significantly from the requirements of the gas safety legislation? (2) Did the minister or the director exempt the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act from its obligation to inspect the hot briquetted iron plant’s type B gas appliances in 1998? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(2) Did the minister or the director exempt the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act from its obligation to inspect the hot briquetted iron plant’s type B gas appliances in 1998? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(1) Did the minister or director give the hot briquetted iron plant special consideration and provide the necessary technical approvals in 1996 in the knowledge that the gas processing equipment proposed was high risk and varied significantly from the requirements of the gas safety legislation? (2) Did the minister or the director exempt the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act from its obligation to inspect the hot briquetted iron plant’s type B gas appliances in 1998? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(2) Did the minister or the director exempt the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act from its obligation to inspect the hot briquetted iron plant’s type B gas appliances in 1998? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(4) If yes to (2), how did the minister or the director ensure that, before supplying gas to the hot briquetted iron plant type B gas installation, the installation met the requirements of the Gas Standards Act? (5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(5) If no to (2), how did the gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensure that the installation met the requirements before commencing the gas supply? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
I hope that the House will appreciate the seriousness of the issues that are the subject of the questions. I provide an answer to the House on behalf of the Minister for Energy - I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(1) No exemption was given by the Minister for Energy or the Director of Energy Safety from the need for the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas installed at the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant to comply with the requirements contained in the gas safety legislation. (2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(2) No exemption was given by the minister or the director to the gas supplier, BHP Pilbara Energy Pty Ltd, from its obligation under section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
(5) The gas supplier to the Boodarie hot briquetted iron plant ensured that the installation met the requirements of section 13(1) of the Gas Standards Act by making sure that all the type B gas appliances and pipework conveying natural gas within the plant was independently inspected and certified as approved prior to commencing the gas supply.
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