Inflatable Amusement Devices

Introduction

Inflatable amusement devices such as jumping castles, inflatable obstacle courses and inflatable slides can provide an enjoyable activity at Scout events, but they can also present significant risks if they are incorrectly installed, inadequately supervised or operated outside appropriate weather conditions.

Serious incidents involving inflatable amusement devices have occurred in Australia, including incidents involving significant injury and fatalities. Particular risks include inadequate anchoring, sudden changes in wind conditions, overcrowding, collisions between participants, falls and inappropriate operation.

This guide explains the requirements that apply when an inflatable amusement device is proposed for a Scout activity or event and the steps Leaders and event organisers should follow from initial planning through to operation.

The fundamental requirement

Inflatable amusement devices must not be operated by Scouts Queensland members.

An inflatable may only be used at a Scout activity where it is supplied, installed, operated and directly supervised for the entire period of operation by an appropriately competent and insured external commercial provider.

This means that dry hire is not permitted. Scout members must not erect, anchor, start, operate, directly supervise, pack down or otherwise take responsibility for operating the inflatable.

The simplest way to remember the division of responsibility is:

Scouts supervise our people. The provider operates the inflatable.

If the provider cannot provide personnel to operate and directly supervise the inflatable for the entire period of use, the activity must not proceed.

Planning the activity

Inflatables should be identified during the early planning stages of an activity or event rather than being treated simply as an equipment hire.

Before making a commitment to a provider, organisers should explain that the inflatable will be used at a Scout activity and confirm that the provider can meet Scouts Queensland's requirements.

As part of obtaining a quotation or making a provisional booking, ask the provider to supply:

evidence of appropriate registration, accreditation or other recognition applicable to the equipment and service being provided;
a current Certificate of Currency for Public Liability insurance of at least $20 million;
the provider's risk assessment and/or Safe Operating Procedure for the device;
information about inspection and maintenance arrangements;
the manufacturer's operating requirements relevant to the device;
proposed anchoring arrangements;
maximum permitted wind speed and other relevant weather limitations;
the method the provider will use to monitor weather and wind conditions;
shutdown and evacuation procedures; and
confirmation that appropriately trained provider personnel will remain with and directly supervise the inflatable whenever it is available for use.

Do not leave documentation until the event

A key process consideration is that documentation should be obtained before the event, with enough time for it to be properly reviewed and any questions resolved.

The fact that a supplier has been used previously, appears experienced, or regularly provides equipment to schools, community organisations or other events does not replace the need to obtain and review the required documentation.

Similarly, payment of a deposit or confirmation of a booking does not constitute approval for the activity to proceed.

Where possible, organisers should therefore make bookings subject to the provider satisfying Scouts Queensland's requirements.

Approval is a mandatory hold point

The proposed inflatable and provider documentation must be reviewed and accepted through the applicable Scout activity or event approval process before the inflatable can be used.

This is a mandatory hold point.

An inflatable must not commence operation simply because it has already been booked, paid for, delivered or erected at the site.

Where documentation is incomplete or concerns have been identified, these must be resolved before participants use the equipment.

For larger events, the event's Safety/Risk function should maintain a simple register showing the inflatable, provider, documentation received, review status and person responsible for confirming the on-site hold point.

Before operation on the day

Documentation review before the event does not replace an on-site check.

Before Scout participants are permitted to use the inflatable, the nominated Leader or event representative should meet with the provider and confirm that the planned controls are actually in place.

This should include confirming that the inflatable has been installed by the provider in the agreed location; anchoring appears consistent with the provider's documented arrangements; the required provider personnel are present; participant entry and exit arrangements are controlled; the operating area is appropriately separated from spectators and other activities; electrical leads, blowers and generators do not introduce uncontrolled hazards; and weather monitoring arrangements are active.

The Leader does not need to undertake a technical inspection of the inflatable or certify that it has been correctly installed. Those responsibilities remain with the provider. The Leader's role is to confirm that the agreed arrangements are visibly in place and that there is no obvious reason why Scout participation should not commence.

If something does not look right, do not open the activity while it is being resolved.

Establish responsibilities with the provider

Before operation begins, the nominated Adult Volunteer and provider representative should have a short operational briefing.

Both parties should understand:

The provider is responsible for the operation and direct supervision of the activity. This includes installation and anchoring; technical operation; managing queues and access to the activity; determining who may participate and when; controlling participant numbers; providing instructions to participants; managing participant behaviour while entering, participating in and exiting the activity; enforcing operating rules and manufacturer requirements; monitoring weather, wind and other operating conditions; and evacuating, shutting down and securing the inflatable when required.
Scouts Queensland retains responsibility for the broader supervision and safeguarding of its members. Adult Volunteers should remain available to support participants and respond to broader behavioural, welfare or safeguarding matters but should not take over the provider’s responsibility for managing the activity, its queue or participants while they are under the provider’s direct supervision.

Adult Volunteers retain the authority to stop Scout participation where they believe the activity is unsafe or inappropriate, including where the provider is not adequately supervising participants or managing behaviour. This does not transfer responsibility for operating or supervising the activity from the provider to Scouts Queensland.

Weather and wind

Changing weather conditions are one of the most important hazards associated with inflatable amusement devices.

The provider must have a clearly defined method of monitoring conditions throughout operation, know the manufacturer's maximum operating limits and have predetermined shutdown criteria. Responsibility for ordering an evacuation and shutting down the inflatable must also be clear.

Simply looking at the weather and deciding that it "doesn't seem very windy" is not an adequate control.

If conditions approach the manufacturer's operating limits, or otherwise become unsafe, participants must be evacuated and operation suspended.

Where there is disagreement or uncertainty, the conservative decision applies: Scout participants do not use the inflatable until the concern has been resolved.

Leaders retain stop-work authority

Engaging a commercial provider does not mean Leaders surrender their responsibility to act when something appears unsafe.

Under QBSI 7.7, a commercially run activity is to be discontinued where a Leader considers it unsafe or inappropriate for Youth Members.

A Leader should therefore stop participation immediately if there are concerns about matters such as changing weather, anchoring, overcrowding, unsafe behaviour, inadequate provider supervision, damage to the inflatable, unexpected movement of the device or departure from the agreed Safe Operating Procedure.

The Leader does not need to establish that the provider has technically breached a standard before acting. Stopping participation is a precautionary control while the concern is assessed.

If the provider leaves the inflatable unattended

The inflatable must not continue to operate under Scout supervision.

For example, if the provider's operator leaves for a meal break, finishes their shift or otherwise leaves the device unattended, Adult Volunteers must not "fill in" by supervising its operation.

The device must be closed until the provider's authorised operator returns.

This is particularly important at longer events where an inflatable may be available across several hours or days.

Changes during the event

Any material change to the approved arrangement should trigger reconsideration before operation continues.

Examples include relocating the inflatable, changing the anchoring arrangement, substituting a different inflatable, substituting another provider, significant deterioration in weather, loss of the nominated provider operator or introducing substantially different participant groups.

Where a change affects the basis on which the activity was approved, escalate it through the event's Safety/Risk or approval arrangements rather than simply accepting the change on site.

After the activity

Any incident, injury, equipment failure, unexpected movement, emergency shutdown or significant safety concern should be reported through Scouts Queensland's incident reporting arrangements.

A near miss should also be reported where circumstances could reasonably have resulted in injury. This helps Scouts Queensland identify recurring issues with particular equipment, providers or controls and improve future event planning.

For major events, a short post-event review of commercially provided activities is worthwhile, particularly where operational issues or deviations from the provider's documentation were observed.