By Stefanie Collins
The preventable death of a young girl in Queensland must serve as a stark reminder to venue owners that they are obligated to secure their outdoor furniture, authorities say.
The nine-year-old girl was fatally struck by an unsecured umbrella at a public pool in 2012 after it was picked up by a gust of wind. The operator of the facility was charged with failing to comply with a duty of care under the work health and safety laws and fined $10,000.
The Queensland Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland and the Department of Justice said the tragic incident serves as a reminder to operators to secure leisure and hospitality businesses against wild weather.
"Business operators in the hospitality sector need to control the risks of projectiles by removing or securing objects such as furniture, umbrellas and signage," the authorities said.
"Umbrellas should be permanently installed to ensure that they are securely fixed to withstand the effects of wind and should be removed or closed in extremely windy conditions or when the outdoor seating area is not in use."
Operators are encouraged to visit worksafe.qld.gov.au, or call 1300 362 128, for further information on work health and safety laws.