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This information sheet is aimed at model engineers operating miniature railways, miniature traction engines or miniature road vehicles as a hobby activity, either under the patronage of a club/society or as individuals. It is relevant where rides are given to the public for payment, either directly or indirectly, or, where the activity takes place in a public place. In both these cases the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) applies. By following this guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.
If the ride is operated in circumstances where the Act does not apply, the information below may still be helpful to operators.
Organisations which employ people or operate commercially will also need to refer to Fairgrounds and amusement parks: Guidance on safe practice HSG175 and other relevant guidance issued, or legislation made under the HSW Act.
This information sheet is needed because it would be too stringent to apply the fairgrounds' guidance to private clubs and societies. Operators of miniature railways, miniature traction engines or miniature road vehicles need more specific guidance. However, the fairgrounds' guidance does contain useful information on the management of health and safety by different dutyholders when the public is involved. It is suggested that you should obtain a copy for reference.
The guidance in this information sheet has been prepared after consultation with the:
It describes the application of the HSW Act to private clubs, managing health and safety, risk assessment, steps and checks for the safe operation of equipment, reporting accidents and duties when buying and selling equipment.
The Act places general duties of care on employers and the self-employed to conduct their undertakings without risk to the health and safety of others. Some of those to whom this guidance is addressed may not fall within this group of dutyholders, but their activities may create risks to themselves, those who help them on a voluntary basis and members of the public. HSE considers it good practice for those who carry out such activities to provide the same level of health and safety protection as they would if they were dutyholders under the Act.
The Act also places certain duties on any person to provide plant and equipment which is safe, so far as is reasonably practicable, for the use by other people, ie the general public, and for buying and selling.
Health and safety can easily be achieved and effectively managed by adopting the following key stages.
Setting your policy
Prepare a clear health and safety policy statement (see following example). Attach to the policy statement details of the organisation and arrangements (rules) for the health and safety of everyone involved.
The ..............Society intends to conduct itself in such a way that there is no unacceptable risk to the health and safety of employees, members, visitors or others who may be affected.
Members of the Society should realise that their acts or omissions could affect the health and safety of other people and other members of the Society. They should therefore comply with the Society's own rules and regulations.
Organising yourself
If you apply a system of steps and checks for all equipment used, you will ensure that you operate safely. This information sheet contains suggested steps and checks. Individual operators need to set up similar systems to those used by clubs or societies.
Planning and implementation
It is recommended that for each running session you appoint a person-in-charge who has the authority to ensure that laid-down procedures are followed. Many accidents are caused by human factors rather than by equipment failures. Ensure that everyone involved in the operation is competent, ie they have suitable knowledge and expertise for any tasks they undertake.
Measuring your performance
You need to monitor your safety record on a continuous basis and particularly after any incident which has caused an accident or near miss.
Reviewing performance and making changes
You need to carry out a review whenever circumstances show that it is necessary and think about what changes are needed, if any.
You should carry out a risk assessment: this is nothing more than a careful examination of what, in your activity, could cause harm to people. This then enables you to decide whether you have taken enough precautions or if you need to do more to prevent harm to people. The outcome of risk assessment is more important than the method used. The control measures which are identified by the risk assessment need to be fully documented.
You should carry out a risk assessment regularly and review it at least every three years, or sooner if modifications or new equipment change the way you
| Risk ranking |
Action required |
| High
Medium
Low
Negligible |
Take immediate action to reduce risk Should be avoided - take action if possible to reduce risk Acceptable - but monitor the situation No action required - but don't be complacent |
operate. See the following example for guidance on the ranking of risk.
Inspection
One of the ways you can reduce risk is to arrange for regular inspections to be carried out by someone who is competent to advise. This person will normally be a member of the club or society concerned. In this context 'competent' means they have the knowledge and expertise in relation to the equipment concerned. These people should know their own limitations and not be expected to understand everything. If they are presented with a particular issue outside their field of knowledge they should seek the opinion of someone more suitably qualified.
These inspections need to be of such standing, and 'independent' in their judgement, that their views are respected. 'Independent' in this respect means that they should not normally inspect their own work or anything with which they have been closely involved.
Construction
It is important that all equipment that has any bearing on safety is designed and properly constructed so as to be fit for its intended purpose. Most equipment is designed to well-proven standards and established practice.
The design and construction of any equipment that departs from these established practices should be assessed to make sure that its safe operation is not impaired. It is recommended that anyone who publishes a design, checks that the design is safe. Supporting information should be available. Designs are preferably checked before manufacture.
Initial test/first use
You need to ensure that models or equipment are examined and tested before they are first used. Any steam-powered model should undergo and pass an appropriate boiler testing procedure.
Maintenance
Maintenance should be carried out regularly depending on usage, operating environment and where it is shown to be necessary after any incident.
Periodic inspection
You need to inspect all models and equipment periodically and subject them to re-testing where appropriate. You need to record these periodic inspections. Some equipment, eg boilers, will be covered by other relevant testing procedures (see further information at end of leaflet). The frequency of inspections, like maintenance, will depend on factors such as usage, operating conditions and the environment in which the equipment is used. Older equipment may, for example, require more frequent inspection.
You should ensure that a competent person checks those parts of equipment which could affect its safe operation before any member of the public is allowed to use or ride on the equipment.
Keeping records
You need to keep all inspection records for as long as practicable, to enable a complete history to be formed and to help with future risk assessments.
You should keep an accident book to record all accident details, no matter how minor. Any accident arising from a work activity and resulting in a member of the public being taken to hospital for treatment must be reported to HSE. Try to record full details, together with names and addresses of witnesses, as soon as possible after the incident.
When models or parts or sold, by the trade or through a business, for use at work, or in a way which might affect the public, the seller has a duty of care to ensure that they are suitable for the purpose intended and that sufficient information is provided for safe operation. If the seller has no technical knowledge of an item (such as a second-hand model bought through an agent) it can be sold provided that the buyer is advised that safety improvements may be necessary to bring the item up to modern standards. This advice should be recorded in writing between the two parties concerned to avoid legal action.
Private sales of equipment between individuals not intended for use at work, or other use which in any way might affect the public, are not covered by the above requirements.
Fairgrounds and amusement parks: Guidance on safe practice HSG175 HSE Books 1997 ISBN 0 7176 1174 4
Management of health and safety at work. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and guidance L21 HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 2488 9
An introduction to health and safety HSE Books 1997 INDG259 Free leaflet
Five steps to risk assessment HSE Books 1998
INDG163(rev) Free leaflet; also available in priced packs, ISBN 0 7176 1565 0
Managing health and safety: Five steps to success
HSE Books 1998 INDG275 Free leaflet
Passenger carrying miniature railways: Guidance on safe practice Due to be published spring 2001
Boiler testing procedures are available from the secretaries of the following organisations, namely the:
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the references listed in this publication, their future availability cannot be guaranteed.
HSE priced and free publications are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk
CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995.
Website: www.hsebooks.co.uk
HSE priced publications are also available from good booksellers.
For other enquiries ring HSE's Infoline Tel: 0845 345 0055 , or write to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ. Website: www.hse.gov.uk
This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do
This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current at 05/00. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
Published on the HSE web site 27 September 2000