Entertainment Velocity Pty Ltd, operating under the name of Funtopia Maribyrnong, faced sentencing in Melbourne’s Magistrates’ Court last Friday. They pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide a safe environment for persons other than employees, breaching essential aspects of Work Health and Safety (WHS) practices. The company was also instructed to cover costs amounting to $6,000.
As disclosed in court, a young girl was attending a birthday party at the Maidstone location in July 2022 when a tragic incident occurred. She readied herself to ascend a ladder feature, a procedure involving harness fitting and connection to a self-belay gadget through a self-belay quicklink. This system allowed a self-belay key, anchored on the ground supporting the cable bottomed at the climbing feature, to disconnect and enable the user to start climbing.
CCTV footage corroborated that the girl correctly engaged the self-belay quicklink on her harness, which should have set her safely on her adventure. Regrettably, the key could be drawn away from the self-belay mechanism when the quicklink was not fully latched, leading to her detachment from the belay system’s cable while she descended. Consequently, she fell around seven metres onto the ground. She was immediately rushed to a hospital, diagnosed with two vertebral compression fractures.
WorkSafe’s extensive investigation determined the excessive wear inside the self-belay device allowing the unhitching of the self-belay key when not fully clasped by the quicklink. Additionally, there were no documented checks or operational tests available for the self-belay system, key, and quicklink.
An independent evaluation surmised that the locking anchors along with the pin and spring assemblies had significant wear. Further, Entertainment Velocity appeared to have inherited many such worn-out belay components after acquiring the franchise in 2018.
The court rightfully asserted that Entertainment Velocity could have prudently inspected, maintained, and replaced its climbing safety equipment. This highlights the importance of effective WHS management systems, such as Bluesafe SWMS and Bluesafe WHS Management System.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Mr. Sam Jenkin, expressed his distress over the negligence leading to severe injury. He emphasised that rigorous inspection, testing, and timely replacement of climbing safety gear were fundamental measures. Non-adherence had unfortunately led to grave repercussions on this occasion.
“There is a growing concern regarding maintenance, training, and supervision issues at indoor play centres, particularly around climbing safety devices,” added Mr. Jenkin. His timely reminder ahead of the bustling summer holiday period exhorts employers to integrate safe systems and processes, thus safeguarding everyone, particularly children, from serious harm.
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-11/play-centre-fined-60000-after-child-fractures-spine-fall