Page 8 - The Outdoor Showman OCT-DEC 2018

Information about
WorkSafe have published a guide to help you understand your occupational health and safety duties when operating land-borne inflatable amusement devices.
The guidance is for employers and self-employed people who operate land-borne inflatable amusement devices, such as jumping castles and slides.
The guide explains:
• incidents in which children have been injured on jumping castles
• the legal duties of employers and self-employed people who operate an inflatable device as part of their business
• how certain amusement structures need to have a registration of design under Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• risk control measures employers can use to manage safety risks, including anchoring, providing safe access for patrons,
preventing unauthorised access around the structure, monitoring and supervising devices when they are being inflated and during operation inspecting and, documenting the state of inflatable devices
For a full copy of the guide please visit the WorkSafe website and refer to the link below or please contact the office on (03) 9376 8544 or vicshowmen@gmail.com
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/land-borne-inflatable-amusement-devices
Safety alert for amusement structures: chair-o-plane
Safety Alert published 10 October 2018
Incidents involving amusement rides such as chair-o-planes can involve the risk of serious injury or death.
A chair-o-plane has seats suspended from a rotating carousel. Each seat is suspended by chains from a metal hanger. A load-bearing bolt is used to attach the metal hanger to the spreader bar which forms part of the top of the carousel. This bolt may be attached to the rotating carousel through the use of a castellated nut and split pin.
Recommended risk control measures
To control the risks associated with chair-o-plane amusement structures, owners and operators should take the following actions:
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Install a safety system such as a slack chain, wire rope or catch strap at each chair’s suspension point (hook and spreader location) to prevent the seat from completely separating from the ride if a suspension component fails. This safety system should be designed by a competent person (for example, a suitable engineer). It should be able to withstand the dynamic load when a ride component fails.
Install, monitor and maintain safety-critical components in accordance with the specifications of the designer, manufacturer, or competent person.
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THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN OCT-DEC 2018