Resource Centre Sample risk assessment for Bouncy Castle

A really useful place for community groups

Prior House, 6 Tilbury Place, Brighton, BN2 0GY | Tel: 01273 606160 | Fax: 01273 673663
email: [email protected] | www.resourcecentre.org.uk

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

Those rolling the Bouncy 2 If possible, the bouncy castle will be dried
Castle up could be injured out before it is pit 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 this Responsible
hazards? and how? hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury
2 = likely 2 = moderate injury The height restriction of 1.5m, and age make sure that
3 = very likely 3 = serious injury restriction of 10 years, will be strictly action is taken
enforced by those running the game
Adults or older Adults and older children 2 3
children jumping on could jump over the sides
the Bouncy Castle of the castle

The seams of the castle
could split causing it to
deflate very quickly and
injure all of those who are
on it

Larger children Smaller children could be 23 Children will be grouped by age, and
13 limited to 8 children at any one time
colliding with smaller injured
31 Crash mats will be put down in front of
children the Bouncy Castle (please note, mats are
not provided by the Resource Centre)
Children jumping off Children could be
or falling off the front seriously injured At least one adult supervisor will be at
of the Bouncy Castle the front of the Bouncy Castle at all times,
and will ask children to move back if they
Children colliding Children could be injured come too close to the front of the Bouncy
with each other Castle
whilst on the Bouncy
Castle Those supervising the Bouncy Castle will
ensure that children do not bump into
each other or become overly boisterous

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What are the Who might be harmed Likelihood Level of harm Action that will be taken to prevent this Responsible
hazards? and how? hazard person who will
1 = not likely 1 = minor injury
Sharp objects that Children on the Bouncy 2 = likely 2 = moderate injury The Bouncy Castle will not be set up on make sure that
could puncture the Castle could be injured by 3 = very likely 3 = serious injury concrete or gravel and will be checked action is taken
Bouncy Castle sharp objects on the thoroughly before it is used
Bouncy Castle or if the 1 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 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 1
other equipment of these items and injure 1 3 Those setting up the Bouncy Castle will
around the outside of themselves 2 2 mark off the blower area with fencing,
the Bouncy Castle hazard tape or cones
(such as the trolley)

Bouncy Castle blower People could trip over the Those setting up the Bouncy Castle will
on ground near the blower and injure mark off the blower area with fencing,
Bouncy Castle themselves, or cut off the hazard tape or cones
power and cause the
Bouncy Castle to deflate

Bouncy Castle gets Children might slip and The Bouncy Castle will not be used if it
wet injure themselves rains, and will be dried completely before
children are allowed on it

Food and drink will not be allowed on or
near the Bouncy Castle

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

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