SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — GrainCorp Operations Ltd. has been fined A$15,000 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after an alleged system error led to a phosphine gas emission at the company’s Port Kembla grain terminal in New South Wales in March. Phosphine gas is used by grain companies to control pests during fumigation processes.

The NSW EPA said the error occurred after an operator at the grain terminal connected the wrong gas sample line to the grain fumigation monitoring equipment. As a result, both of the terminal’s monitoring and control systems failed, which allowed the emission of the phosphine gas at levels above the licensed limit.

“Phosphine gas is dangerous and must be managed carefully,” said Adam Gilligan, acting executive director of operations for the NSW EPA. “It is critical that systems are in place to properly control emissions and protect the community and the environment. We expect all control systems to be operating efficiently and safely. If licensees fail to do so, we will take appropriate action.”

A subsequent investigation by GrainCorp found no environmental or public health risks, but the company said it is implementing corrective actions and additional engineering controls to prevent future similar incidents. GrainCorp is an integrated grain and edible oils business with the largest grain storage and handling business in East Coast Australia and is the top edible oil processor and oilseed crusher in Australia and New Zealand.

The NSW EPA is the primary environmental regulator for New South Wales. The agency partners with business, government and the community to reduce pollution and waste, protect human health, and prevent degradation of the environment.