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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-22 Daily Xml
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TREADMILL SAFETY WARNINGS

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs an unfortunate question about treadmill safety warnings.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I must immediately declare to the chamber an interest in relation to my question, lest I be accused by members opposite, as is their wont, of misleading the council. Members will be able to instantly tell, with just a casual glance in my general direction, that I have a deep and abiding relationship with treadmills and other generic gym equipment. The relationship is being unkindly mumbled by those closest to me as more accurately described as 'antipathy'. Notwithstanding that, it was with great alarm that I heard reports of some new danger—or, more properly, potential danger—arising from having too close a personal relationship with such machinery.

To all my colleagues who eschew such a mechanical approach to fitness, it is still important, I believe, to be aware of all the hazards associated with keeping fit, especially those associated with moving machinery of that kind. Having declared my interest before the house I now ask the minister (and, minister, when you respond and you will, please be kind) if she will advise us as to what is being done to ensure that health-conscious consumers are mindful of safety when using these dark satanic treadmills.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:50): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this most important issue. All I can do is offer him all encouragement. I know that members are always thinking of how they can stay trim, taut and terrific in the winter months. I know that, in particular, one of the honourable members opposite (the Hon. David Ridgway) has obviously been working very hard on his treadmill over the last number of weeks in terms of—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: He is so trim we cannot actually see him! Nevertheless, one very easy way, obviously, where you do not even have to leave the house, is to jump on the treadie for a walk or a run. However, as easy as this seems people need to be aware that there can be dangers associated with it. Treadmills can be appealing to young people—moving objects often are—but they can be very dangerous. The injuries that can occur to children who are attempting to climb onto or touch a treadmill when it is operating can be quiet horrific, ranging from friction burns to serious cuts and abrasions to arms or fingers.

It is timely that the product safety officers from OCBA will be out and about over the next few weeks to remind traders of the importance of safety warnings on treadmills and to make sure that they comply with legislative requirements. Recently I received a report about an 11 year old boy who was hospitalised with very serious friction burns which were sustained after he was trapped between an operating treadmill and a wall.

In addition to reminding traders of their obligations, OCBA is also providing education and information to community groups (such as parents' and mothers' groups) and libraries. In recent times South Australia's OCBA has conducted a risk assessment of treadmill safety in response to concerns raised and has issued a public warning highlighting potential risks. New national safety regulations under the Trade Practices Act apply to all treadmills supplied in Australia from 1 December 2009. The regulations require traders to ensure that treadmills carry a prominent warning sign.

There are some simple tips that people can look out for when buying or using a treadmill and they include selecting a machine with protective covers to keep little fingers and hands away from the many moving parts; checking that the machine has a safety stop switch, to stop it quickly in the case of an accident; understanding how to operate the treadmill and learning about its safety features and functions; whenever possible using the treadmill in a room away from young children or using safety barriers to keep children away; if possible, storing the treadmill away from children; and, of course, keeping the treadmill unplugged from power when it is not in use. Obviously, that is the strategy the Hon. Ian Hunter uses—he has never plugged his in!

Anyone requiring further information about treadmill safety should contact OCBA, and there is also information supplied on the website.

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