Inflatable slide company fined for safety breaches

An inflatable slide operator has been fined for workplace safety failures after a mammoth slide collapsed in Whangamatā in December 2020.

Several people, mostly children, fell from heights of about twelve metres during the incident. One victim fractured his ankles and is still recovering at home.

The company was recently sentenced at the Waihi District Court and ordered to pay a fine of more than $400,000.

WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Paul West said, “When people are on an amusement device, they have an expectation their safety is being looked after by the operator. Most operators in Aotearoa are aware of this expectation and strive to meet it, but this business has had numerous failings, which is unacceptable.

He added that WorkSafe expects the operator to make improvements following the incident.

For more on this story, visit the WorkSafe NZ website.