Eco Scrap charged after worker burned in Dandenong South explosion

Incident Overview

A 35-year-old worker suffered serious burns in an explosion at a scrap recycling business in Dandenong South, Victoria, in November 2025. WorkSafe Victoria reported the incident when it announced charges against Eco Scrap Pty Ltd on 15 October 2026. The regulator did not give the exact day of the explosion.

Workplace, Location and Time

The worker was decommissioning an air-conditioning unit when gas escaped and ignited, causing an explosion. WorkSafe identified the workplace as a scrap recycling business in Dandenong South. Its public account gives the month of the incident but not a time of day.

Injuries and Immediate Outcome

WorkSafe said the worker sustained serious burns to his body, including his hands, legs and face. The release did not describe his treatment or later recovery.

Regulator Action

Eco Scrap faces charges under Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. WorkSafe alleges the company failed to maintain a safe system of work that ensured refrigerant was removed from air-conditioning units before scrapping. It also alleges the workplace was not kept safe and without health risks. These are allegations before the court, not findings of guilt. The regulator said the matter was listed for a filing hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 19 October 2026.

Why We Report Workplace Accidents

We record confirmed injuries and subsequent regulatory action to keep attention on workplace hazards and the controls examined by authorities. This entry distinguishes the November 2025 injury from the charges announced in October 2026.