Reference no: EM132713497

Case 1: AAA Auscarts Imports Pty. Ltd

Auscarts Imports Pty Ltd operates a recreational go-karting business in Port Melbourne. As at 6 October 2006, barriers around the go-kart track consisted of a mixture of tyres either bolted together; some were left loose; or pushed hard-up against a concrete barrier. Some sections of the barrier exposed bare, unguarded concrete. Barriers should be able to quickly decelerate a go-kart with minimum damage to the driver and go-kart. Barriers constructed with tyres should be able to move and have some give when impact occurs. Tyres pushed hard-up against a concrete wall created a too 'stiff' barrier. Tyres not bound together can be 'flicked' onto the track if hit, or fly through the air, creating the risk of people and go-karts being hit or leaving areas of the track without a barrier.

Employees were required to perform duties as track marshals, co-ordinate patrons and racing events and to "test drive" go-karts around the track located at the workplace. Patrons' seatbelts are meant to be checked by track marshals but sometimes patrons were allowed to drive even if the seatbelt and harness did not fit adequately.

On 6 October 2006, a patron attending for a function arranged by her employer, died as a result of head injuries she sustained when the go-kart she was driving collided with a tyre barrier that surrounded the racing circuit. The barrier was positioned in front of a Besser block chicane and the tyres were pushed hard up against the wall. There have been approximately 7 other collision incidents that involved injuries, including lacerations to the throat, whiplash, bruising and leg injuries.

For this case study you are required to identify and explain;

• Factors that contributed to the incident
• Relevant standards, codes, regulations and what the actual requirements of those documents were for the situation described by the case study
• The actions you would put in place in the organisation to prevent the same type of incident from occurring in the future and to meet compliance requirements