WorkSafe Victoria has put play centres on notice ahead of the school holidays with a renewed focus on climbing wall safety.
Since March 2022, WorkSafe has responded to seven serious incidents where members of the public, including children, have sustained injuries after falling from artificial climbing structures.
WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Sam Jenkin said inspectors were visiting centres across the state to ensure they took all reasonable steps to protect their customers.
“It’s extremely worrying that we continue to see people, including young children, being put in danger and getting injured on artificial climbing structures at play centres,” Mr Jenkin said.
“Employers operating indoor climbing facilities know they’re providing a high-risk activity, so there’s no excuse for failing to have robust safety systems and control measures in place.”
Four incidents have been the subject of comprehensive WorkSafe investigations, resulting in one formal caution and two successful criminal prosecutions with court-imposed fines totalling $100,000.
WorkSafe investigators found many of the incidents resulted from inadequate supervision.
“Operators must ensure staff members are trained to check harnesses before each climb, and that there are always enough of them rostered on to effectively supervise customers,” Mr Jenkin said.
“The majority of risks with climbing walls at indoor play centres can be significantly reduced if there are a sufficient number of staff actively monitoring climbers as they use the features.”
WorkSafe has published an updated safety alert which also highlights the importance of adequate staff training and inspecting and maintaining safety equipment.
Operators should also consider controls that ensure climbers are properly connected to auto belay systems, such as interlock devices and barrier mats at the base of the structures which help serve as a visual cue indicating when it is safe to climb.
However, Mr Jenkin emphasised that nothing could replace the critical role of active and effective supervision.
“Even with the best safety systems in place, young climbers in a state of excitement could still bypass controls or forget instructions,” he said.
“With the school holidays fast approaching and families seeking indoor fun to escape the cold weather, play centre operators should be taking steps now to ensure a day of fun doesn’t turn to tragedy.”
Tips for eliminating or reducing risks associated with climbing walls include: training employees to properly check and fit harnesses and deliver pre-activity briefings; ensuring climbers are actively supervised at all times based on their age and skill level; having an appropriate employees-to-climbers ratio and setting a minimum user age where an adult is required refusing entry to underage children without an adult.
More information: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-alerts/school-holiday-reminder-climbing-centres
