Farmhand burned in generator fire at Forbes grain site

Incident Overview

A farmhand suffered burns while refuelling a petrol generator at a grain sampling site near Forbes, New South Wales, on 11 December 2023. Lawson Grains Pty Ltd was later fined $210,000 after pleading guilty to a workplace safety offence. The incident and court outcome are detailed in a SafeWork NSW release and the Industrial Court judgment.

Workplace, Location and Time

The worker, Madison Brown, was a casual farmhand at Lawson Grains’ Uah Grain Bunker Site on Mcphies Road, Forbes. She was collecting and analysing grain samples using a vacuum powered by a petrol generator. The court recorded that the fire occurred at about 5:30 pm.

Generator Refuelling Fire

Ms Brown had switched off the generator and began adding petrol from a jerry can using a funnel. An ignition occurred while she was refuelling it, and flames travelled up her arm and spread to the sample stand. The judgment records that the precise ignition source was not established. A fire expert considered contact between petrol and a hot engine surface the most probable cause, rather than a confirmed finding about exactly how the fire began.

Injuries and Immediate Outcome

Ms Brown sustained burns to parts of her face, both hands, her left forearm and her left shoulder, affecting about 5.5 per cent of her body surface. She was taken first to Orange Health Service and then to Concord Hospital for specialist burns treatment. The court recorded hospital treatment including wound care and a temporary dressing.

Investigation and Court Outcome

Lawson Grains pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its health and safety duty under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The court imposed a $210,000 fine. Its judgment identified the absence of a documented risk assessment and a procedure specific to the petrol generator, including clear cooling and training requirements for refuelling. The company has a right to appeal the sentence.

Why We Report Workplace Accidents

This case records the injuries caused by a routine grain-handling task and the later court findings about how the refuelling risk should have been managed. Keeping the accident date distinct from the 2026 sentence helps readers understand both the immediate harm and the subsequent safety response. The outcome concerns this workplace and does not determine the facts or legal rights in any other case.