The government department overseeing Canberra’s interactive museum, Questacon, faces charges of breaching health and safety laws after a child was burned while visiting the museum. The incident, which occurred in July 2022, involved a nine-year-old child suffering burns to their hands and wrists after allegedly touching a plasma globe in one of the galleries, resulting in their hand catching on fire.
An investigation revealed that the child had used alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching the plasma globe. When the child touched the globe, it emitted a spark that ignited the hand sanitizer, allegedly provided by Questacon.
Comcare alleges that the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources, overseeing Questacon, failed its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act by not eliminating the fire risk associated with alcohol-based hand sanitizer and plasma globes.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of $1.5 million, and the case is set to be heard in the ACT Magistrates Court on September 12, 2024.
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