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Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigating Dreamworld safety incidents

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigating Dreamworld safety incidents
December 10, 2020

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is reported to be investigating two recent incidents at Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld.

As reported by Brisbane newspaper The Courier-Mail, in one incident a guest narrowly avoided serious injury on another the Triple Vortex waterslide at the adjacent WhiteWater World waterpark while in the other the three-tonne arms of the Pandemonium pendulum ride missed two workers when they fell during maintenance.

One of Dreamworld’s major thrill rides, Pandemonium is a rickshaw themed swinging ride in the theme park’s Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness precinct.

A Dreamworld spokesperson confirmed the two incidents in a statement to news.com.au, advising “Dreamworld and WhiteWater World have an open and transparent reporting relationship with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for the betterment of safety in our parks.

“We reported an event to WHSQ which occurred in our Engineering Centre during scheduled maintenance, are working cooperatively with them and have received confirmation that they are satisfied with our actions.”

The spokesperson added “(we) acknowledge a minor event that took place on the Triple Vortex slide at WhiteWater World and we confirm that a notice was not issued by WHSQ”, adding the regulator “have advised they are satisfied with our actions in relation to this matter”.

In addition to these two incidents, media have also reported that an eight-year-old girl suffered internal injuries on WhiteWater World’s Fully 6 waterslide with the safety regulator issuing an “improvement notice” for the rides.

In response, the spokesperson said WhiteWater World “acquired the water-slide from a top tier manufacturer who supply water-slides globally”, adding “our operation of the slide is strictly in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer which we have verified was the case on the day of the recent event.

“WhiteWater World has requested a review of this notice with WHSQ and the notice is currently stayed.”

Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure was fined $3.6 million in September after pleading guilty to three charges relating to the deaths of four people on the Thunder River Rapids ride in October 2016.

Images: Dreamworld's entry (top) and guests on the Pandemonium ride (below).

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16th November 2020 - Queensland Police will not pursue criminal charges following Cairns Showfest ride incident

30th September 2020 - Ardent Leisure’s Dreamworld fine the biggest in Queensland workplace history

29th September 2020 - Ardent Leisure fined $3.6 million over 2016 Dreamworld deaths

23rd September 2020 - Dreamworld and WhiteWater World reveal successful operational restart

28th August 2020 - Reporting massive losses Ardent Leisure expresses confidence in Dreamworld’s future

25th August 2020 - WhiteWater World prepares for reopening with refurbishments and rigorous safety program  

14th August 2020 - Ardent Leisure to reopen Dreamworld on 16th September

7th August 2020 - $70 million Queensland Government lifeline drives Ardent Leisure’s Dreamworld reopening announcement

29th July 2020 - Ardent Leisure pleads guilty over 2016 Dreamworld ride deaths

28th July 2020 - Indigenous leaders worried about future of Dreamworld Corroboree precinct

21st July 2020 - Ardent Leisure faces three charges over 2016 Dreamworld ride fatalities

10th July 2020 - Coronavirus impact sees Dreamworld make 50 positions redundant

24th June 2020 - Shutdown impacts Dreamworld’s plans for construction of new rollercoaster

18th June 2020 - Ardent Leisure shareholders launch class action over Dreamworld deaths

25th February 2020 - Queensland Government announces acceptance of Coroner’s findings into 2016 Dreamworld ride deaths

24th February 2020 - Coroner’s report on Dreamworld fatalities exposes Ardent Leisure to prosecution for multiple safety breaches

8th February 2020 - Dreamworld permanently closes Rocky Hollow Log Ride

7th February 2020 - Dreamworld enjoys successful peak season

30th January 2020 - TAFE Queensland and Dreamworld partner to deliver wildlife conservation training

18th January 2020 - South east Queensland deluge closes Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet’n'Wild Gold Coast

21st December 2019 - New waterslides open at Dreamworld’s WhiteWater World

15th December 2019 - Dreamworld kicks off 38th anniversary celebrations

29th November 2019 - Dreamworld launches its ‘Biggest’ Summer campaign

27th August 2019 - Ardent Leisure looks to shrinking of Dreamworld’s footprint for development


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