Melbourne indoor play centre faces charges following serious fall that injured child

Melbourne Indoor Play Centre Faces Charges Following Serious Fall That Injured Child

WorkSafe has filed charges against a Melbourne indoor play centre after an eight-year-old child suffered a fractured spine following a fall of about seven metres from a rope ladder.

The play centre has been charged with three offences under section 23(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, for allegedly failing to ensure non-employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

What WorkSafe Alleges

WorkSafe claims the company did not adequately inspect, maintain, or replace its climbing safety equipment, leaving families exposed to unnecessary fall hazards.

According to the regulator, insufficient upkeep of climbing apparatus contributed directly to the incident, raising broader questions about health and safety obligations owed to visiting children across indoor recreation venues.

Court Proceedings

A filing hearing has been scheduled at Melbourne Magistrates' Court for 28 March 2024. This case, prosecuted under Victoria's occupational health and safety framework, highlights ongoing scrutiny of operators managing high-risk play equipment.

Why This Case Matters for Health and Safety Compliance

This prosecution serves as a stark reminder that operators of children's recreational facilities carry serious legal duties under occupational health and safety legislation, even when patrons are not employees.

For businesses managing similar equipment, this case underscores several safety obligations:

• Regular inspection schedules for climbing equipment and rope ladders
• Documented maintenance records demonstrating ongoing safety diligence
• Prompt replacement of worn or damaged safety gear
• Risk assessments specific to fall hazards at height

Businesses across Australia operating similar facilities should review their own safety management systems to confirm compliance with equivalent obligations under work health and safety laws in their jurisdiction. Learn more about building robust systems through our WHS Recording Centre or the OHS Recording Centre.

Facilities catering to young visitors may also benefit from reviewing dedicated child safety policies designed to formalise duty-of-care obligations and reduce fall-related incidents.

Related WorkSafe News

This case follows a pattern of recent enforcement action reported in safety industry news. Similar incidents include a government department charged after a serious injury to a child, a builder facing charges following a fatal incident at a Melbourne factory, and a builder charged over fall hazards at a Melbourne construction site.

Together, these cases reflect WorkSafe's continued focus on fall prevention and equipment maintenance across diverse industries, from construction sites to family entertainment venues.

Originally published on the WorkSafe Victoria website.