A lacuna in the law may be putting public safety at leisure establishments at risk as there is no monitoring body to ensure standards are maintained.

Last Thursday, a three-year-old girl was slightly injured at the Splash and Fun Park at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq when she fell from a walkway with no rail. The management said that immediate action was taken to install railings as soon as it became aware of the danger.

The law relating to places of entertainment refers to a Health and Safety Monitoring Board appointed by the Home Affairs Ministry.

But the ministry said the Splash and Fun complex does not fall within the remit of this board since “places of entertainment” are defined by the law as venues in which people under 17 are not allowed to enter, such as clubs.

Police sources said officers would get involved if the police were asked by an authority, such as the planning authority, to act on a breach of conditions subject to court proceedings.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority said it only dealt with workers while the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority said its remit was limited to products. Mepa said it was the responsibility of the operator to make certain all areas within the establishment are safe.

Patrick Vella, director of Leisure and Theme Park Ltd that operates Splash and Fun, said the management conducts regular controls to ensure public safety.

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