8) TWO MONTHS WARNING!!!!!!! (Contribution from Ben Cook)

Have you recently looked at the health and safety sheet “Entertainment sheet No7”(ETIS7)?? You like myself may be aware that the recommendations in that sheet will become implemented from the first of January 2003. Amazingly I telephone several firms to see if they were able to help with compliance most said they were able but it doesn’t come in till next year…HELLO WAKE UP!!!!THAT’S ONLY “TWO MONTHS AWAY!!!! So what some of you may say. Well Firstly take a look at your insurance and then like me you will see most policies will state something like “ Cover is conditional upon you complying with Health & Safety Guidance Note ETIS7 which some firms will enclosed with the policy…”

Some operators of castles may say, “I’ve got all the paper work covered” Brilliant but personally I think you’re in the minority. 2 years ago I started making sure all our inflatables had H & S test certificates. To my surprise the firm who carries out the inspections said in passing, “of all the firms he did work for very few of the companies bothered with test certificates!!!!”

This means if the insurance firm wants to decline a claim they would be well with in their rights…….

On page 1 & 2 of the information sheet they talk about a DOC (Declaration of Operational Compliance) this was my second problem. I have a few castles which do not have paper work to comply with a DOC. Luckily for me the firm who makes my new castles and repairs has offered to review each castle, when he has registered with H&S very shortly as suggested on page 2 of Information Sheet 7.

NEXT on page 1 of ETIS7 It quotes Buying and selling of inflatables “Inflatable devices should not be bought or sold unless the following documentation is available”

1/ a report of design review

2/ a report of assessment of conformity to design &

3/ a report of initial inspection.

Without boring the pants off you check the rest out.

Final thought and this is my own view and not of the BIHA. I do think we should have been consulted more as a group before the H&S railroaded this upon us I know we have had a year but I like many thought it would go away in a revision as being un workable possibly!!! However it’s the same old story a few bad apples and we all get it in the neck!!!

Good luck

Ben.

Important BIHA Note: Thanks Ben for an interesting article. I think that it is very important to emphasise that at the end of HSE Entertainment Sheet No. 7 it says “This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are NOT compulsory, but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.

If you would like a FREE copy of HSE Entertainment Sheet No. 7 titled “Safe use and operation of play inflatables, including bouncy castles”. Please send me a large stamped addressed envelope (A5 size or larger) with a first or second class stamp on it. Also, please enclose 4 loose first class stamps as well. My address is BIHA, 33 Ladybank, Birch Hill, Bracknell, Berks. RG12 7HA.