WorkSafe considers that Ballance has likely breached sections 36(1)(a) and 48 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) by failing, so far as was reasonably practicable, to ensure the health and safety of workers during a pump change-over activity. In particular, after reviewing the evidence obtained during the investigation, WorkSafe has formed the view that:

1. On 15 July 2025, a significant ammonia release occurred in the Uraca Pump House at Ballance’s Kapuni facility during a pump change-over activity.
2. Three workers were exposed to serious health and safety risks.
3. The release occurred when duty pump A was not stopped before standby pump B was started.
4. The discharge valve of pump A was subsequently closed while it was still operating, leading to overpressure and loss of containment.
5. There were deficiencies in Ballance’s hazard identification, risk assessment, and operational controls, including that not all deadheading scenarios for the ammonia pumps had been fully assessed.

Ballance has not disputed the facts and has consented to this matter being dealt with by way of a formal warning.