Dreamworld will conduct a sweeping review of all its mechanical rides after more than 200 staff returned to work on Monday.
The Queensland amusement park has been closed since last week when a malfunction on its Thunder River Rapids ride led to the death of four people. The accident sparked an immediate coronial investigation, a police investigation and an inquiry by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Since then the park has faced a barrage of criticism, with the Australian Workers’ Union and others saying it had previously raised safety concerns.
Documents released by Queensland’s workplace regulator also showed that air compressors on 13 Dreamworld rides, including the rapids ride, were deemed “not fit for service” in an inspection four years ago.
On Monday Dreamworld’s chief executive, Craig Davidson, said more than 200 staff had returned to work, although the park would remain closed to the public until further notice.
“We have commenced a systematic and methodical park-wide safety review of every mechanical ride in our park,” he said. “This will include the appointment of arm’s-length and independent work-leading mechanical engineering and workplace safety experts.”
The review would include internal and external audits, and would be “working closely” with the workplace health and safety team. The reports would be made publicwhen they are complete.
Davidson also responded to a report in the Australian that said the cyclone ride at Dreamworld had been operating with fewer staff than recommended by the manufacturer.
“The configuration of the cyclone ride at Dreamworld is different to the operating manual referred to,” he said. “Dreamworld’s one-car cyclone ride and the staff operating procedures were approved through four separate tiers.
“Incorrect reporting of misinformation, intentional or otherwise, is frankly unhelpful.”
The coronial inquiry into the incident is in its early stages.
