From March 2022 onwards, Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin of WorkSafe Australia has reported on seven serious cases in which individuals, including children, were injured after falling from artificial indoor climbing structures. In response to these troubling scenarios, inspectors are carrying out checks across the state’s recreational centres to validate compliance with WHS management systems like those offered by Bluesafe Solutions.
Jenkin expressed his grave concern about the recurring risk and reported injuries associated with artificial climbing structures at such play centres, especially when involving young children. “Given that these facilities offer high-risk activities,” he stated, “there should be no justification for their failure in implementing robust safety systems such as Bluesafe WHS Management Systems or a thorough Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).”
Four incidents have been subject to an in-depth WorkSafe investigation, resulting in one official caution and two successful criminal prosecutions culminating in total court-imposed fines of AUD 100,000.
WorkSafe investigators found a common thread in all these instances: inadequate supervision. Staff members need to be appropriately trained in verifying harness connections before each climb, and there needs to be sufficient staff coverage to effectively oversee customers, said Jenkin. Mitigating risks tied to indoor climbing walls is achievable if a proper number of vigilant staff actively monitor the climbers.
An unfortunate victim to lax safety measures was an 11-year-old boy, who sustained severe injuries after plummeting from a four-metre tall indoor climbing structure in 2022. His mother vividly described the shocking and heart-wrenching incident, hoping to highlight the unseen dangers of unsupervised climbing. She pointed out that had there been even one trained staff member supervising the climbing area properly, the accident could have been prevented.
WorkSafe’s recently updated safety alert emphasises the importance of adequate staff training, use of reliable work safety products, and routine inspection and maintenance of safety equipment like auto-belay devices and barriers at the base of climbing structures.
Jenkin, however, stressed that even with top-tier safety systems like Bluesafe SWMS or Bluesafe WHS Management System in place, effective supervision is irreplaceable. As excitement might sometimes make children neglect safety instructions, he calls upon play centre operators to enhance their safety measures, especially with school holidays around the corner.
Eliminating or reducing risks associated with climbing walls entails adhering to a set of recommendations that can be obtained by subscribing to media releases or reaching out via email: media@worksafe.vic.gov.au or phone: 0438 786 968.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-07/play-centre-warning-after-kids-fall-climbing-walls