There have been a number of fatalities and serious incidents nationally in recent years where bouncy castles and similar inflatable devices have collapsed or blown away in windy or adverse conditions. The council's Health, Safety and Licensing Service is currently running a safety campaign to improve the safety and management of inflatable amusement devices by increasing the level of awareness of the risks, safety and management best practice.
Health and Safety law applies to the supply, hire and use of inflatables for commercial purposes. The council has produced guidance documents covering best practice for businesses hiring devices and details their responsibilities included testing of equipment, ensuring they carry out risk assessments and comply with the appropriate safety legislation and ensuring their devices are correctly insured.
Hirers such as event organisers can take simple precautions to help avoid serious incidents. The council has produced guidance documents covering best practice for hirers which includes who's responsible, what to check before hiring and what checks to carry out on the day of hiring.
ERYC HSL Inflatables Guidance (Hirer) (pdf 603kb)
Council officers will be carrying out safety spot checks on bouncy castles and similar inflatable devices over the coming months to check and have powers to take action against businesses that are failing to comply with the law.
ERYC HSL Inflatables Guidance (Operators) (pdf 88kb)
The Health and Safety Executive website provides information on inflatable play equipment safety:
Health and Safety Executive - Inflatable play equipment (external website)