RC Sample risk assessment for Bouncy Castle - Resource Centre

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Sample Risk Assessment for our Bouncy Castle

This is a SAMPLE risk assessment: we recommend that you use it to carry out your own risk assessment,
which will include any other risks that are specific to your event, the location where you are holding it, or your users.

Putting up and taking down the Bouncy Castle

What are the Who might be harmed Likelihood Level of harm Action that will be taken to prevent Responsible
hazards? and how? this hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury make sure that
2 = likely 2 = moderate injury action is taken
3 = very likely 3 = serious injury

Bouncy Castle is very Those who are 21 At least two people will collect, lift or
heavy to lift and transporting the bouncy move the Bouncy Castle and the trolley
manoeuvre castle, putting it up, or will be used wherever possible
taking it down could injure
their backs Advice will be given on correct lifting
procedures to prevent injury (using guidance
from www.hse.gov.uk or other sources).

At least two people will roll up the Bouncy
Castle, following the instructions, and
secure it with the strap provided

Long electric power Those who are setting up 21 Secure the power cable to the ground as
cable other stalls at the event soon as it is laid down, and do not
could trip on the cable remove the tape until cable is due to be
wound up

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What are the Who might be harmed Likelihood Level of harm Action that will be taken to prevent Responsible
hazards? and how? this hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury make sure that
Damage to the Anybody who touches the 2 = likely 2 = moderate injury action is taken
electric power cable damaged cable could be 3 = very likely 3 = serious injury
electrocuted Unroll the electric cable, and check the
Heavy duty stakes to 1 3 full length of the cable, plus any plugs or
be driven in using sockets
mallet, and removed
at the end of the day Ensure that the power cable is plugged
into power supply that has a trip switch
The Bouncy Castle is OR use the power breaker supplied
wet when it’s put
away Those banging in the 2 1 Hold the stakes halfway down when
stakes could hit their 2 banging them in
hands 2
Knock the stakes sideways using the
Others in the area could be 1 mallet before trying to pull them out

hit with the mallet Make sure the area is clear of other
people

Those rolling the Bouncy 2 If possible, the bouncy castle will be dried
Castle up could be injured out before it is put away
as it will be slippery and
heavier if wet. At least 3 people will put away and lift the
Bouncy Castle if it’s wet

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Using the Bouncy Castle:
At least two adults will supervise the Bouncy Castle at all times

What are the Who might be harmed Likelihood Level of harm Action that will be taken to prevent Responsible
hazards? and how? this hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury make sure that
Adults or older Adults and older children 2 = likely 2 = moderate injury The height restriction of 1.5m, and age action is taken
children jumping on could jump over the sides 3 = very likely 3 = serious injury restriction of 10 years, will be strictly
the Bouncy Castle of the castle. enforced by those running the game
Adults and older children 2 3
Larger children throwing themselves
colliding with smaller heavily against the walls, 23 Children will be grouped by age, and
children making the bouncy castle limited to 8 children at any one time
Children jumping off move (indoors).
or falling off the front The seams of the castle Crash mats will be put down in front of
of the Bouncy Castle could split causing it to the Bouncy Castle (N.B. mats are not
deflate very quickly and provided by the Resource Centre)
injure all of those who are
on it At least one adult supervisor will be at the
front of the Bouncy Castle at all times,
Smaller children could be and will ask children to move back if they
injured come too close to the front of the Bouncy
Castle
Children could be seriously 1 3
injured

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What are the Who might be harmed Likelihood Level of harm Action that will be taken to prevent Responsible
hazards? and how? this hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury make sure that
2 = likely 2 = moderate injury Those supervising the Bouncy Castle will action is taken
3 = very likely 3 = serious injury ensure that children do not bump into
Children colliding with Children could be injured each other or become overly boisterous
each other whilst on 3 1
the Bouncy Castle

Sharp objects that Children on the Bouncy 1 3 The Bouncy Castle will not be set up on
could puncture the Castle could be injured by 1 concrete or gravel and will be checked
Bouncy Castle sharp objects on the 1 thoroughly before it is used
Bouncy Castle or if the 3 Children will be asked to remove their
Bouncy Castle got shoes and any other sharp objects before
punctured and deflated they go on the Bouncy Castle

Anchor points The bouncy castle could 1 The Bouncy Castle will not be put up if
becoming untethered move or tip, causing injury the wind exceeds Force 5, i.e. small trees
to the children on it, or sway (not just their branches)
anyone standing near it The Bouncy Castle will be tethered
securely to the anchor points
Anchor points and People could trip over any 1
other equipment of these items and injure 1 Those setting up the Bouncy Castle will
around the outside of themselves mark off the blower area with fencing,
the Bouncy Castle hazard tape or cones
(such as the trolley)
Those setting up the Bouncy Castle will
Bouncy Castle blower People could trip over the mark off the blower area with fencing,
on ground near the blower and injure hazard tape or cones
Bouncy Castle themselves, or cut off the
power and cause the
Bouncy Castle to deflate

Page 4 of 5 RC Sample risk assessment for Bouncy Castle.docx

What are the Who might be harmed Likelihood Level of harm Action that will be taken to prevent Responsible
hazards? and how? this hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury make sure that
2 = likely 2 = moderate injury The Bouncy Castle will not be used if it action is taken
3 = very likely 3 = serious injury rains, and will be dried completely before
Bouncy Castle gets Children might slip and children are allowed on it
wet injure themselves 2 2 Food and drink will not be allowed on or
near the Bouncy Castle
Using a petrol If other appliances are run 2 3 No other appliances will be plugged into
generator (the from the petrol generator 3 the generator
Bouncy Castle is there could be a reduction
supplied with an in power to the Bouncy A fire extinguisher will be kept near the
electric cable, but it Castle which could cause it petrol generator
can be used with a to deflate
3KVA generator) The bouncy castle will be supervised all
The generator could catch the time that it is inflated, and will be
fire, injuring those near it taken down as soon as possible after the
event has finished.
People going on the People could disregard the 2
Bouncy Castle after guidelines for safe use of
the event has finished the bouncy castle, and
and it is no longer injure themselves or
being supervised others. If they were injured,
there may not be anyone
nearby to help them.

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