"Inpex under investigation after suspected sulphur dioxide exposure leaves worker in hospital", 30 January 2026

The Northern Territory's workplace safety regulator is investigating a suspected incident at Inpex's Ichthys gas facility in Darwin after several workers were potentially exposed to sulphur dioxide and one person was hospitalised.

The Australian Workers' Union NT organiser Caleb Burke raised concerns with NT WorkSafe … after a contractor employed by Altrad was potentially exposed to the gas while working near the plant's acid gas incinerators ...

He said the worker "smelled a strong smell and a few minutes later, the employee's throat became dry and itchy, accompanied by a regular cough".

The worker visited Inpex's site medic on January 14, reporting worsening symptoms, and was then transferred to the Palmerston Regional Hospital, where they were diagnosed with reactive airways disease — a condition similar to asthma, Mr Burke said…

Mr Burke said exposure to a "hazardous substance at a major hazardous facility", resulting in a worker being hospitalised, could only be described as serious — and, by law, Inpex was required to notify authorities.

But he said when he met with Inpex executives in Perth …, "the company alluded to the incident not being reportable on the basis that the worker did not receive medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure".

"Immediate treatment as an inpatient in a hospital, for any duration, requires notification," Mr Burke said.

"The community expects that major hazardous facilities in the territory operate to the highest safety standards, not argue technicalities about why NT WorkSafe was not notified."

Inpex general manager NT Richard Finch said routine monitoring showed the facility was safe.

"Routine monitoring demonstrates Ichthys LNG is well below Safe Work Australia's exposure limits for sulphur dioxide (2 parts per million) and hydrogen sulphide (10 parts per million) outside the exclusion zone," he said.

"We are firmly committed to the safety of our people and the community, the protection of the environment, and the continued safe operations of Ichthys LNG.

"Working safely is Inpex's priority always."

Workers allege their health complaints were ignored

On a site visit at Inpex's Ichthys facility …, Mr Burke said multiple other workers had raised concerns with him about exposure to sulphur dioxide while they were also working near the acid gas incinerator, and alleged management had failed to take their concerns seriously…