NT WorkSafe has charged two construction companies over the death of a man at the Inpex Onshore LNG Facility.

On 29 November 2017, the 56-year-old Whittens Group employee was conducting insulation repairs on one of the LNG tanks.

At approximately 8.00 pm the worker fell while inside the confined space and was engulfed by the insulation and suffocated. At the time of the incident the worker was operating alone, and although he was wearing a harness, it was not secured while he was working.

NT WorkSafe will allege that with the death of the worker, that both Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd and Whittens Group Pty Ltd failed in their health and safety duty under section 19 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act).

The offences have been charged under section 32 of the Act for failing to comply with a health and safety duty.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of $1,500,000.

The matter is listed for mention in the Darwin Local Court on 14 January 2020.