A family partnership has been charged with six reckless conduct charges over the Little Miss Korea gas explosion in September, and face a maximum combined penalty of $18 million, NT WorkSafe has said.

Work Safe NT executive director Peggy Cheong said in a statement that on September 7, five patrons from a party of six dining at Little Miss Korea were burnt after butane gas ignited under the table they were sitting at. One patron escaping injury.

She said the family partnership of C.J Lee and D.J Lee face six reckless conduct charges under Section 31 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act), for failure to comply with their primary duty of care to ensure the safety of their patrons.

Ms Cheong said the six customers were cooking their food on a barbeque grill unit using coal, and the unit was also fitted with the butane gas canister, which was not used at the time of the incident.

“The butane gas canister was manufactured with a countersink release vent, designed to release the butane gas to prevent an explosion if the canister became over-pressured,” she said.

“NT WorkSafe will allege that the close proximity of the hot coals to the butane gas canister caused the canister to over-pressure, activating the CRV and releasing the butane gas under the table.

“The build-up of butane gas subsequently ignited causing the injuries.”

Ms Cheong said NT WorkSafe will further allege that despite clear warning signs on the butane gas canister, none of Little Miss Korea’s safety information, including staff safety induction, standard operating procedures, risk assessment or work health and safety policies, provided any safety advice or instruction to staff on the gas cartridge compartment of the barbecue grill unit or use of butane gas canisters.

She also said the barbecue grill unit lacked evidence that it had been certified for use in Australia as required by law.

If found guilty of all charges, C.J Lee and D.J Lee faces a maximum combined penalty of $18 million, Ms Cheong said.

Six alternative charges under Section 32 of the Act have also been laid, and the matter is listed for mention at the Darwin Local Court on January 31.