E89:08 15 August 2008

Norfolk activity centre prosecuted following school trip incident

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned activity centres to ensure their staff are properly trained, after a child was seriously injured on a school trip.

Kingswood Learning and Leisure (Group) Limited of Alkmaar Way in Norwich, was fined £12,000 with £10,690 costs at Cromer Magistrates Court today (Aug 15), after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The prosecution follows a HSE investigation into an incident on 28 April 2007, when eight-year-old Mickey Carter-Browne, from Silsoe, was injured during a school trip to the Kingswood Activity Centre at West Runton.  He fell six metres from a climbing wall, sustaining a broken ankle and bruising to his pelvis, upper leg, left ankle and arms.

HSE Inspector Steve Gill said:

"This was an unfortunate incident which could have been prevented had the correct safety procedures been followed and the staff undertaking the activities properly trained and supervised.  Instead, a child was injured and spent ten weeks in plaster, largely confined to a wheelchair, and another ten weeks on crutches.

"It is important to remember that the adventure activities sector as a whole has almost always demonstrated good practices in risk assessment and management, allowing activities to take place safely and enjoyably.

"HSE firmly believes that children must have the opportunity to participate in adventurous activities such as climbing, which are fun, healthy and provide experience and education in risk management.  Statistically, one incident does not alter the good track record of an overall safe and well-managed sector."

The incident occurred when Mickey reached a height of about six metres on the climbing wall.  A click was heard and he fell onto the wooden floor below.

The HSE investigation identified that when the karabiner (metal loop) was attached to the harness, the screw had not been tightened, which allowed the karabiner to open when a load was applied.  The investigation also found that the training and supervision procedures at the centre were not sufficient for the activities being carried out, and were not being routinely followed on the ground.

Notes to editors

1. Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states:  "It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health and safety.”
2. The maximum penalty in the Magistrates Court for a breach of the Act is a fine not exceeding £20,000.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR.