A fine imposed on an indoor trampolining company after a child fell four metres from a climbing wall has been more than tripled to $40,000 following an appeal.
In May 2022, an 11-year-old boy and two friends were using the climbing wall area at a Bounce Australia Pty Ltd indoor play centre in Grovedale.
Due to a problem with the system ensuring climbers’ harnesses were clipped to the carabiners, the boy fell four metres from the top of the wall. He was taken to hospital and was later diagnosed with a fractured sternum and soft tissue injuries to his back.
WorkSafe's investigation found Bounce did not have systems of work in place to ensure customers were adequately supervised in the climbing area and advised of the safety rules before entering.
In March 2024 the company was fined $12,500 without conviction in the Geelong Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to two charges of failing to ensure people other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety. However, this sentence was set aside on 17 September, with the County Court ordering the company pay a fine of $40,000 without conviction – more than three times the original amount.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said expecting members of the public, particularly children, to perform a high-risk task without adequate supervision or a safety briefing was a recipe for disaster.
"What had been a fun day out turned into an absolute nightmare for this boy and his family, who should have been able to rely on Bounce to ensure there was proper supervision and instruction for the activities on offer," Mr Jenkin said.
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