A boy’s hands reportedly caught fire when he touched a plasma globe shortly after using hand sanitizer at a popular science and technology attraction.
The alleged incident occurred at the popular Questacon attraction in Canberra in July 2022.
The hand sanitizer had been supplied by the scientific center.
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources, which oversees Questacon, has been charged by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions with a criminal violation of the federal Workplace Health and Safety Act.
The boy is believed to have suffered burns that caused “serious injuries” to his hands and wrists.
“Comcare’s investigation found that a spark from the plasma balloon ignited the alcohol-based hand sanitizer used by the child and supplied by Questacon,” the federal health and safety authority said in a statement released Wednesday.
Questacon is accused of failing to comply with a health and safety duty and thereby exposing a person to the risk of death or serious injury.
Comcare alleges the department failed to fulfil its duty under the legislation and believes it could have taken four steps to “eliminate or minimise the risks”.
A nine-year-old boy’s hands are believed to have caught fire in July 2022 at Questacon (pictured, the attraction in Canberra)
The boy is believed to have used hand sanitizer provided by Questacon and when he touched a plasma globe, his hands caught fire and he suffered serious injuries (file image)
One of the measures would have been to remove the plasma globes at Questacon once they realized the fire hazard posed by the alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
The department could also have limited the use and operation of the plasma globes to Questacon workers.
Another suggestion Comcare put forward was that the department should provide alcohol-free hand sanitizer or portable handwashing stations with soap.
Comcare also believed the department could have warned Questacon visitors about the risk of fire and spark ignition.
Questacon is an agency of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (pictured here, Questacon with a periodic table light projection on its exterior)
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources could be fined $1.5 million if convicted of the alleged offence.
The case is due to be heard for the first time in the ACT Magistrates Court on September 12.
