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Anaconda in court over accident 28-Jun-2010 At 12:09:11 PM earwig

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From today's Age website.

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Store to face court over boy's rock-climb fall
THOMAS HUNTER
June 28, 2010 - 12:01PM

The case of a 14-year-old boy who was injured after falling nine metres from an indoor rock climbing wall could reach a conclusion today, with the operator to face court charged with failing to ensure the teen's safety.

The year nine student was climbing the artificial rock face at Anaconda, an adventure retail store in Frankston, in November 2008, when a piece of equipment securing him to the wall tore free, sending him plunging to the ground. His left ankle was shattered in the fall.

A WorkSafe investigation found the repoint descender, which allows climbers to return to the ground in a controlled manner, was attached to the wall with a nylon sling. But the sling frayed as the boy leaned back, causing him to fall.

The 15 kilogram descender then fell to the ground, narrowly missing the boy.

Anaconda was charged with two breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act following the WorkSafe investigation.

The company faces charges of failing to give their employees sufficient training and failing to ensure customers were not exposed to health risks when using the climbing wall.

Worksafe alleges Anaconda failed to conduct tests to ensure that the descender system was safely installed on the wall.

A plea hearing and possible sentencing will take place at the Frankston Magistrates Court today.