See report 'Systemic Investigation into Fuel Contamination'.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Workcover
Victoria review its relationship with other regulatory bodies to
clarify the limits of their respective regulatory powers and
responsibilities with respect to aviation fuels, to ensure that
aviation safety issues are effectively regulated.
AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU (ATSB) INVESTIGATION INTO
CONTAMINATED AVIATION GASOLINE
Thank you for your letter of 14 April 2002 seeking a response from
WorkSafe Victoria to the ATSB's recommendations about the Avgas
fuel contamination incident.
In response to the ATSB's report, WorkSafe reviewed its role in
this type of matter and concluded that where another agency exists
solely to regulate in a certain area WorkSafe would generally defer
to it.
In this instance, it is WorkSafe Victoria's view that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the lead agency for regulating
the oversight of the manufacture of Avgas for the following
reasons:
• CASA is the lead regulator being charged with the responsibility
for "comprehensive aviation industry surveillance."
• WorkSafe is constrained to regulating breaches of the OHS Act
that occur in Victoria. CASA is a federal body and has no such
constraints.
• OHS legislation is not uniform throughout Australia and similar
breaches might be treated differently depending on where they
occur.
• WorkSafe is limited to regulating matters having a connection
with work.
In response to the ATSB report, WorkSafe Victoria sought advice
from CASA on its role in the oversight of the manufacture of Avgas
but has not received a response as yet. WorkSafe would be happy to
meet with representatives of your Department to examine current and
future roles. If you have further queries please contact [name
supplied] on [telephone number supplied].
ATSB Note:
On 30 April 2008, the ATSB re-classified the response as Closed
- Accepted.
