The NSW Police Force has been slapped with a $350,000 fine after several of its officers were exposed to drug precursors, speed, ecstasy and cocaine.
In March 2009, three officers were auditing drug exhibits at Surry Hills police station's vault in Sydney when they smelled something akin to boot polish.
The Industrial Court of NSW heard that the seals on one of the exhibit bags was broken and the officers were exposed to the precursor safrole, methylamphetamine, or speed, and ecstasy.
They experienced irritation and burning in their eyes, nose and throat and were sent home.
The following month, at the same location, two other police officers were exposed to cocaine and suffered irritation to their eyes, noses and throats.
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The force pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its officers on both occasions.
Justice Roger Boland said on Friday that it was "common sense" the officers would be handling unknown hazardous material and would, at least, need protective equipment, such as respirators and gloves.
"Instead, the officers were sent into the room with no protection," he said.
He said NSW Police had an "unenviable record of contravening" the Occupational Health and Safety Act, with eight convictions in the past 11 years.
He fined the force $350,000, noting it had entered early guilty pleas on the charges.
Police Association President Scott Weber said NSW Police had once again shown its inability to protect its officers from injury.
Since 2002, he said the force had been fined more than $1 million for workplace health and safety breaches.
"How many convictions does it take for an organisation to learn that it needs to provide its officers with appropriate information, training, supervision and equipment to do their jobs safely?"
