WorkSafe has taken enforcement action following an incident at a Christchurch childcare centre where several children have suffered chemical burns earlier this month.

5 children and 2 adults were taken to hospital after a chemical was incorrectly used during an activity at Kindercare in Woolston on 5 December.

WorkSafe New Zealand southern regional manager Adrian van Dyk said the agency had issued an improvement notice to the centre after identifying safety failures.

“We found the centre was not sufficiently managing risks to health and safety associated with hazardous substances, in particular the use and storage of detergent sanitizer,” van Dyk said.

“We are recommending the centre review the risks and hazards for the use of harmful sanitizers in the workplace and implement a process that meets the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations 2016,” he said.

Kindercare has until 18 December to demonstrate it has complied with the notice.

WorkSafe said its investigation into the incident was continuing.