Eliminating or controlling hazards such as these in your business is effective risk management. This is one of many OHS criteria covered by our Tourism Auditing programme, PARK-Safe.

If a Regulation, Code, Australian or other Standard exists you should follow that way, or a better way, to eliminate the identified risk according to the "hierarchy of controls" in the Legislation. Please refer to our October 2009 article below for information regarding the then current Australian Standard (now AS/NZS 4220: 2010) and our Risk Management recommendations which remain current under this latest standard. 

Click on link  below to see an article published in the NSW Daily Telegraph regarding injuries and deaths from bunk beds and changes that are now being considered to the Bunk Bed Standards.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/new-standards-could-make-bunk-beds-unsuitable-for-children-aged-under-12/story-e6frf00i-1225808780180

Do your Bunk Beds comply with the latest Australian Standard?

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4220:2010 - Bunk Beds, states that Manufacturers of bunk beds should provide the following: -

S8 INFORMATIVE LABELLING

Each bunk bed shall include the following information in a leaflet, or other printed material which is to be supplied with the bunk bed:

(a) A list of the parts supplied and details of any tools required to assemble the bed.

(b) Detailed diagrams showing how to assemble the bunk bed, including specific instructions pertaining to—

    (i) bed end structures;

    (ii) installation of foundation or support system for the mattress or springs;

    (iii) fitting of the upper bunk to the lower bunk;

    (iv) attachment of guardrails; and

    (v) attachment of ladders.

(c) A statement indicating that children under the age of 9 should not use an upper bunk or elevated bed suspended over a play area, furniture (e.g. a workstation or other feature).

NOTE: Children under the age of 9 should not use the upper bunk due to the statistical chance of significant injury.

(d) A statement that children should be discouraged from playing on the bunk bed.

(e) A statement that the bunk bed should be checked periodically to ensure that the guardrail, ladder and other components are maintained in the correct position and state of repair and that all connectors are tight.

(f) A warning as follows: ‘The upper bunk must be more than 2 m from any ceiling fan.’

Therefore, we would recommend that this information be communicated to users of your bunk beds by way of “Warning” signage placed on the sides of top bunks to state: “Warning - Children under the age of 9 years are not permitted to use the top bunk; children must not play on top bunk”. 

Also, warning parents that children under 9 should not sleep on top bunk, during the booking process and in Park Rules, will ensure that you have done 'everything you can' to eliminate the risk of fall by young children (discharge of your overall obligation under OHS legislation to ensure safety).

In addition, the top bunk of a bunk bed no longer complies if its base is higher than 1350mm.  Triple Bunk Beds would likely no longer comply with the Standard and although not retrospective, to ensure safety, the mattress  of a non-compliant top bunk should be removed with signage indicating 'storage only' or similar and the bunk no longer used.

Ensure bunk beds are regularly inspected and checked and that the location is not less than 2 m from any ceiling fan.  Keep written records of these inspections.

Kylie Wessling

GENERAL MANAGER