Key Takeaways
- A chemical incident occurred at a Kindercare centre in Christchurch, resulting in 40 patients being assessed and seven individuals being taken to hospital.
- The chemical involved was a corrosive product used in the centre’s steriliser, which was misidentified and used in a play activity.
- Kindercare has promised to carry out a full investigation, and WorkSafe has also opened an investigation into the incident.
- A safety expert has called for the entire childcare industry to review their safety systems and processes to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident occurred on Friday night when the chemical was used in a play activity, causing irritation and light blistering to the children’s skin. The company’s chief executive and regional manager flew to Christchurch to address the situation. The chemical involved was used in many of the company’s centres and was normally kept in a kitchen cupboard or laundry, plumbed directly into the centre’s steriliser. However, it was misidentified and used in a waterslide activity, resulting in the chemical burns and blisters.
Response to the Incident
The response to the incident was immediate, with 18 units responding, including nine ambulances, three rapid response units, five operations managers, and one Major Incident Support Team vehicle. St John national operations manager Chris Harrison stated that the patients had suffered chemical burns and blisters, and parents were "pretty upset but pragmatic about the situation." The centre was put into lockdown, and five children and two employees were taken to hospital. The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols in place at the centre and the potential for similar incidents to occur in the future.
Investigation into the Incident
Kindercare has promised to carry out a full investigation into the incident, and WorkSafe has also opened an investigation. The company wants to know how the chemical was taken from the storage area and used in the play activity. The investigation will examine the systems and processes in place at the centre to determine how the incident occurred and how it can be prevented in the future. A safety expert, Karl Berendt, has stated that the internal investigation must be systemic and examine all aspects of the centre’s safety protocols.
Safety Concerns and Recommendations
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children in childcare centres and the potential for similar incidents to occur. Berendt has called for the entire childcare industry to review their safety systems and processes to prevent similar incidents from occurring. He stated that the fact children were injured was a prompt for the industry to take a hard look at their safety protocols and ensure that they are adequate. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring that all systems and processes are in place and working as they should to prevent accidents and injuries.
Conclusion and Future Actions
The incident at the Kindercare centre in Christchurch is a wake-up call for the entire childcare industry to review their safety protocols and ensure that they are adequate. The investigation into the incident will provide valuable insights into what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future. It is essential that childcare centres take a proactive approach to safety and ensure that all systems and processes are in place to protect the children in their care. By doing so, they can minimize the risk of accidents and injuries and provide a safe and healthy environment for children to learn and grow.