Guidance Bouncy Castles 1. Introduction This guide is intended to provide guidance for local authority employees hiring; purchasing and/or using bouncy castles. It is also intended for operators, attendants and anyone else concerned with the safe use of the bouncy castle. The guide will describe the various factors that can contribute to accidents involving bouncy castles and the precautions that should be taken to avoid them. Inflatable bouncy castles are often used at fund raising events at schools; community centres and village halls and they are a popular attraction to young children. There have been several reported incidents in the UK involving bouncy castles such as inflatable s being blown in the air by strong winds; children suffering broken bones and cuts through contact with other users or falling out of the castle. There are numerous hazards and risks presented by incorrect use and unmanaged facilities and whilst this guide is intended to provide you information on some of the main issues it is not exhaustive. Definitions Controller the person, organisation or hirer (those who hire to others) is having overall control, including responsibility for maintenance of the inflatable device. Operator the person appointed by the controller or the manager to be in charge of the operation of the inflatable at the time when it is intended to be available for public use. Attendant any person appointed to work under the control and direction of an operator to assist in the operation of the inflatable device. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 1
2. Types of inflatable bouncing devices There are several types of inflatable bouncer available to buy or hire: Open-sided, often referred to as flat beds Open-fronted often referred to as castles Totally enclosed This guidance covers the use of open-fronted inflatable bouncy castles as in the main; this type of structure is popular and used; hired & bought by some departments of the local authority. 3. Hiring Bouncy castles If you are HIRING a Bouncy Castle for an event, ensure you hire from an experienced and reputable company. The British Inflatable Hirers Alliance has a website of members in the Glamorgan area - www.biha.org.uk/ Members (hire companies) have to adhere to a code of conduct which is aimed at making the industry safer and more professional. You are recommended to request: Copy of valid insurance certificate Manufacturers instructions for use Copies of the annual inspection certification for the equipment either with PIPA or ADIPS inspection testing scheme. Preferably, the hire company should act as the Controller and be able to provide a trained and competent attendant to supervise the use of the bouncy castle for your event on your behalf. The controller must provide you with a suitable risk assessment of the bouncy castle use at your event. 4. Buying Bouncy castles If you are buying a Bouncy Castle, ensure that you purchase one from a reputable supplier. Inflatable devices have to be tested and inspected before being sold. The inflatable device will be issued with a Declaration of Operational Compliance (DOC) this is normally valid for up to a year. The operations manual should include instructions and information on setting up, operating and maintaining the inflatable. Keep this document in a safe place. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 2
5. Hazards associated with bouncy castles The main hazards associated with bouncy castles include: Blowing over or away of the whole structure by the wind; Splitting of the fabric when under pressure; Failure of the seams; Injury to the users caused by either themselves or other users (boisterous behaviour) Overcrowding; Injury to the users either getting on or off the bouncy castle; Falls from the structure; No separation of larger users from little ones; Dangerous siting of equipment, including siting near overhead power lines; Zip failure; Access to dangerous, inadequately protected machinery; Tripping e.g. over anchorage points; Air loss due to the blower disconnection, blower failure or power supply interruption; litter blocking the air intake/vents; punctures Lifting injuries caused by manual handling of device 6. Safe operation of bouncy castle 6.1 The safe siting of the bouncy castle If the bouncy castle is to be erected outdoors is should be sited in the safest location possible. Always follow manufactures instructions. A written risk assessment should consider site specific factors such as: Proximity of overhead cables Proximity of perimeter fences and vegetation Foreseeable hazards in the immediate area e.g. ponds; car parks with vehicular movement Type of ground surface protective matting may be required to prevent wear and tear of the base material. Proximity to hot surfaces Use common sense to identify obvious hazards. On any open side and entrance/exit, the maximum fall-of height should be no greater than 750mm. All hard landing surfaces should be covered by soft landing material such as dense gym mats or equivalent material of at least 25mm thickness (max. thickness of 125mm) and extended for a distance of at least 1.2m from the open side. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 3
6.2 Weather conditions Bouncy Castles should not be used when the wind or gusts are in excess of the maximum safe wind speed specified by the manufacturer. Industry recommends a maximum wind speed of Force 5 on the Beaufort scale (19 24mph). Weather forecasts can be obtained from the Meteorological Office. 6.3 Anchorage points The size, number and strength of anchorage points should be adequate for the size of the structure and take into account likely wind loading. Always follow manufacturer s instructions. The bouncy castle should be secured to the ground with stakes, where the ground is suitable. If the stakes protrude from the ground, it may be necessary to cover stakes in case of accidental contact by users. Equally effective methods should be used on hard standing e.g. using sandbags as weights. Inflatable s can be tied to a vehicle or other movable machinery, providing the vehicle is immobilised and under the control of the operator. 6.4 Blowers Blowers should be suitably guarded at the inlet and outlet and be positioned at least 1.2m from the walled side of the bouncy castle and 2.5m on any open side. The blower, including cables and controls, shall not be readily accessible to the public and controls in place to manage this. 6.5 Defects found during use If at any time during the event a defect is found which could possibly lead to danger, the public should not be allowed to use the bouncy castle until the cause has been identified and remedied. If there is any doubt about continued safety, the bouncy castle should not be used until a competent person has confirmed that it is safe to do so. Keep records of all incidents and significant defects and what action was taken. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 4
6.6 Attendants Corporate Health, Safety & Wellbeing Service The controller or manager must determine the minimum number of attendants/operator needed to operate and supervise the safe operation of the bouncy castle. In deciding how many attendants are required, the controller or manager needs to consider matters such as: the number of people using the device age of the users type of environment in which the inflatable is being used Attendants should be aged 16 or over and the Operator should be over 18 years It is particularly important that the attendant is able to exercise some authority over the users, particularly children, and supervises the use of the bouncy castle at all times. 6.7 Operators A safe system of work must be established to ensure that the users are admitted to the bouncy castle in a controlled and safe manner. The operator must: Ensure that all users remove their footwear (except socks) and any other hard, sharp or dangerous objects from their person, such as buckles, pens, purses etc. It is advised that spectacles are removed; Not allow anyone to obstruct the entrance or exit of the device or bounce on the step/front apron. The step is only to be used to assist the user on or off; Not allow anyone to climb or hang from the outside walls; Not allow users who are taller that the outside walls when standing inside the bouncy castle to use the bouncer; Continually monitor the positioning of soft landing mats covering the hard surfaces due to the movement of the structure when in use, the mats can move leaving gaps of hard surface Do not allow users to consume food or drink or chew gum on the device; Not allow somersaults and rough play/horseplay Keep the entrance/exit areas clear of onlookers so that the operator/attendant has a clear view and can ensure that users enter/exit safely; Keep users off the device when it is being inflated or deflated. Deflate the device when not in use. The operator/attendant should watch the activity on the inflatable constantly. They should use a whistle or other signal and take action at the first sign of any misbehaviour. It is the operator s responsibility to ensure that the equipment is not overloaded with users. The number of users at any one time should be limited to allow each user enough room to play safely. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 5
Larger, more boisterous older children should be separated from smaller children if required, implement rota systems which avoid the mixing of different ages or sizes. Adults should not be allowed on the bouncy castle with children. Adults should only use bouncy castles made specifically for adult size and weight 6.8 Training of operators & attendants Each operator & attendant must receive full and sufficient instruction in the operation of the bouncy castle. This should include adequate instruction on: The method of operating the bouncy castle Safe loading of the bouncy castle Safe entry/exit for users Training needs of attendants Safe methods of handling/assembly/dismantling How to make a daily check Hazards; Risks and precautions associated with the work Safe anchoring of the inflatable Crowd control measures and barriers Measures to be taken in the event of a power failure Procedures for reporting accidents, defects or breakdowns 7. Formal examination and inspection The Inflatable Play Industry and HSE consider it best practice to have the bouncy castle formally tested and inspected under the PIPA scheme on an annual basis. The device is tested to a thorough and specific examination and testing scheme and when passed will be tagged with a unique number which remains with the device for the rest of its operational life. The operator will be given a certificate containing information relating to the test. 7.1 Controller/Operator inspections The bouncy castle is required to be inspected at suitable intervals to ensure that safe conditions are maintained, and that any deterioration in the equipment is detected and remedial action taken in good time. It would be prudent to document these checks as proof of our diligence. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 6
Daily checks to be carried out before the first use on any day. These include: The site remains suitable, with crowd control measures in place if appropriate; Anchorages are intact, and ropes not worn or chafed; Anchor system secures the inflatable device to the ground; There are no significant holes or rips in the fabric or seams; The correct blower specified for the device is being used and the air pressure is sufficient to give a reliable and firm footing; There are no exposed electrical contacts, there is no wear on electric cables, and plugs, sockets and switches are not damaged; If an internal combustion engine is used, that the fuel cap is placed firmly on the fuel tank and any reserve fuel tank remains in a safe position; Bolts and screws of the blower are properly secured and that robust guards are secured over the air inlet and outlet; The blower/inflation tube connection is in god condition and is firmly fixed to the blower; and The blower is positioned correctly, adequately protected or guarded and is not causing a tripping hazard 8. Accidents/ First aid/ Fire safety provision 8.1 First aid provision First aid provision needs to be suitable for the number of people expected to attend the event. A telephone (landline or mobile) must be available on site in case of an emergency situation For further guidance see First aid guidelines on the local authority Intranet 8.2 Accidents The first priority will be to ensure that any casualty receives medical treatment without delay, either by first-aider or hospital as appropriate, and that all other personnel are kept away from the scene until the site is safe, or an accident investigation as been completed. All first-aid treatment must be recorded. Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 7
All accidents must be recorded on the local authorities accident form (HS1 employees; HS2 members of the public) and a copy forwarded to the corporate health and safety section, Room 1.7.2. Civic Centre, Swansea. In the case of a fatality, major injury or any dangerous occurrence (even if no injury results), then the relevant service unit Health and safety officer must be notified immediately by telephone. For further guidance see accident reporting procedures on the local authority Intranet. 8.3 Fire safety If the event is being held within a local authority premises, the operator and attendants must ensure that they are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures for the building and familiarize themselves with the nearest fire exits; break glass call points and fire extinguishers. The bouncy castle must be sited so that is does not obstruct escape routes or fire exit doors. 9. Insurance Cover The authority has liability insurance in place covering the use of a bouncy castle, however if the castle is hired, the owner is responsible for any defects occurring on the castle and we therefore need evidence of their public liability insurance, and would require a minimum of 5m as a limit of indemnity. Some small traders may not have insurance to this level and they should either be asked to increase their cover or you should hire from someone else. If the local authority owns the bouncy castle it is extremely important that we comply with all the guidelines regarding inspections and maintenance of the bouncy castle to ensure the safety of users. 10. Further information Local Authority Circular - LAC Number: 47/19 HSE information sheet (no 7) safe use and operation of play inflatable s, including bouncy castles BS EN 14960:2006 Inflatable play equipment safety requirements and test methods The Provision of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) Websites: www.pipa.org.uk www.hse.gov.uk Document No: G031:03-09/1 Page 8