HSE Warning to Firms that Hire Out Inflatable Devices
A Shrewsbury operator named Robert Andrew Phinn was recently found guilty of breaching section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and fined £500 by Oswestry Magistrates’ Court.
Phinn was a partner at Fun-4-All, a firm that hires out inflatable equipments. The Connexions and Youth Services division of Shropshire County Council had hired an inflatable bungee run from his firm for the West Midlands Show in Shrewsbury. On June 22 of that year, strong winds lifted the bungee run and moved it by about 15 feet into the air. Several people who had been present in the scene were hurt as a result.
In view of the above case, the HSE has issued warnings to all the firms who hire out inflatable equipments that they should take the responsibility to clamp their equipments firmly onto the ground and also train the operators with the do’s and don’ts of using such equipments. Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues; accredited IOSH Courses can assist companies in training staff to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures for all kinds of workplace situations.
Hilary Lidbury, HSE investigating inspector, commented that the safety of the general public is a responsibility of all employers and self-employed individuals. Although Phinn did not have any wrong intention, yet his ignorance put the lives of many people in danger. He should have provided proper safety training to the users of the equipment, instructing them not to use it under windy conditions, and should have himself ensured that the equipment was properly anchored to the ground, as such equipments are liable to be lifted off the ground even under light winds.
His negligence on the above counts endangered the lives of many youngsters playing on the equipment as well as bystanders who had gathered to have a good time.
