Two fairground workers were recently sentenced to three years in jail for manslaughter by gross negligence after a tragic incident involving a bouncy castle. The inflatable castle blew away with a young girl, Summer Grant, inside, resulting in her death. The incident occurred in March 2016 in Harlow, Essex, where the castle was carried 300m across a park.
The couple, William Thurston, 29, and his wife Shelby, 26, failed to ensure the bouncy castle was "adequately anchored" to the ground, as stated in the trial. The judge, Mr Justice Garnham, emphasized the danger of their actions, stating that they "took the most monumental risk with children's lives by continuing to allow children on the bouncy castle...and that risk-taking cost Summer her life".
Furthermore, the judge called on the Health and Safety Executive to take necessary steps to make it mandatory for fairground operators to have proper wind speed measuring equipment. It was also revealed that Summer died of "multiple traumatic injuries to the head, neck, and chest."
The trial also heard that a yellow Met Office weather warning had been in place on the day of the incident, two days before Storm Katie was due to arrive. The defendants failed to ensure the bouncy castle was "adequately anchored" to the ground and failed to monitor weather conditions to ensure it was safe to use.
The tragic incident had a profound impact on Summer's family. Summer's mother, Cara Blackie, described how she screamed when she heard of her daughter's death, and has since suffered from anxiety and depression. Summer's father, Lee Grant, said in a statement that his daughter's death has had an ongoing impact on his life.
The Thurstons were also sentenced to a further 12 months' imprisonment for a health and safety offence, to run concurrently with their three-year sentence.
As a bouncy castle hire company, it is important to ensure that safety measures are in place and to monitor weather conditions before setting up inflatable structures. It is also essential to have proper wind speed measuring equipment and to ensure that the structures are anchored correctly. The tragic incident serves as a reminder to all bouncy castle hire companies to prioritize the safety of their customers above all else.
How do I meet the HSE requirements?
In order to ensure the safety of customers and comply with regulations, inflatable companies must test their equipment to EN14960 standards. This is a European standard for the safety of inflatable play equipment, which lays out requirements for design, manufacturing, testing, and labeling of inflatable products.
One of the key requirements of EN14960 is that inflatable equipment must be tested annually by an independent testing organization. This testing ensures that the equipment is in good condition and that it meets the safety requirements outlined in the standard. The testing process typically includes a visual inspection, as well as testing for things like strength, stability, and the ability of the inflatable to withstand wind and weather.
In addition to testing to EN14960 standards, inflatable companies must also comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. This legislation requires that employers take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees and customers. For inflatable companies, this means that they must have procedures in place to ensure that their equipment is properly maintained, that they are aware of weather conditions and any potential hazards, and that they have a plan in place for dealing with emergencies.
At BetterBounce, we understand the importance of ensuring the safety of our customers and we take compliance with regulations very seriously. We offer a range of testing services to help inflatable companies meet EN14960 standards and comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Our team of experts can conduct annual inspections, testing, and maintenance of your inflatable equipment, providing you with peace of mind that your equipment is safe and compliant. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your inflatable business meet these important safety standards.
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