Health & Safety Executive/Local Authorities Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA)

To: Directors of Environmental Health/Chief Environmental Health Officers of London, Metropolitan, District and Unitary Authorities and Chief Executives of County Councils.

For the attention of: Environmental Services/Trading Standards/Fire Authorities/Other

This circular gives advice to local authority enforcement officers

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Inflatable Play Equipment

Background

1 HSE's National Fairground Inspection Team (NFIT) were advised earlier this of the withdrawal of Entertainment Information Sheet 7 (ETIS7) and given the location of the most recent agreed best practice for the safe design, manufacture and operation of inflatable play equipment. This note is to inform Local Authority Officers of the web site address where this information is now available and the launch of a new test scheme.

Testing Scheme

An inflatable play equipment testing scheme was launched in September 2004. The scheme is administered by the Performance Textiles Association (PERTEXA), and is known as the PIPA scheme. HSE has worked with the administrators of the scheme since its inception and HSE's partnership logo appears on the PIPA web-pages, indicating that HSE supports the endeavours of those involved. Full details of the scheme are on their web-site, which can be found at

http://www.pipa.org.uk/

3 Inflatables tested under the PIPA scheme will be tagged, and the operator will be able to produce a certificate containing information relating to the test. The tags and certificates have only just been made available, but those signed up to the scheme have agreed that all their inflatables manufactured after the 1^st of October 2004 will carry a tag. Inflatables tested by PIPA inspectors after 1^st October 2004 will also be tagged. By the end of November 2005, it is expected that all those who wish to have their equipment tested under the scheme will have done so. A database containing details of the equipment tested under the scheme will be made available to Enforcement Officers (HSE & LAs). Details will be announced.

Action by inspectors

4 Where a ride has a Declaration of Operational Conformity (DOC) issued under the ADIPS scheme, Inspectors should take no action other than what is deemed appropriate in the normal course of their Inspection. Where a ride is being operated on a site other than a traditional fairground or amusement park, Inspectors should advise controllers and others that by complying with the guidance available at the http://www.pipa.org.uk/ web-site, they would be doing enough to comply with their duties under the HSW etc Act 1974 ss. 2 - 8, although duty holders may achieve compliance using other equally effective means. Inspectors may also take any other action deemed appropriate in the circumstances.

Information

5 Enquiries regarding this note should be addressed to the Commercial and Consumer Services, Transportation and Utilities Sector (CACTUS) at the Glasgow Office (Tel. 0141 275 3111).

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