While EN14960 is not technically a law, it holds immense legal weight and is treated "as good as law" within the UK inflatables industry. This standard outlines safety requirements for inflatable play equipment, and failing to meet these could have severe consequences.
The police aren’t going to enforce this standard directly because it isn't criminal law. For example, having mats that are too small or fencing that’s 1cm short wouldn’t result in immediate police action. But, if an accident or injury were to occur due to these shortcomings, the repercussions could be far-reaching.
In cases of incidents or injuries, EN14960 becomes central to legal proceedings, especially as it is the document the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) references in court. If found to have neglected safety standards, operators can face hefty fines, lawsuits, or even imprisonment. There have been instances where non-compliance with these guidelines has led to tragic accidents, resulting in business owners being held criminally liable and facing prison sentences.
So while the police won't arrest you for non-compliance on its own, ignoring the standard can lead to significant legal action if something goes wrong. For that reason, EN14960 is "as good as law" in the sense that it is the basis for legal standards in court and underpins the enforcement of health and safety regulations in the inflatables industry.
Thus, compliance with EN14960 is critical to ensure the safety of users and to protect yourself legally, even if the standard itself isn’t directly enforced by law enforcement.
Annual testing and the law
Furthermore, Although EN14960 isn't legally enforced by the police, compliance is crucial, and failure to adhere can lead to severe consequences. Beyond following this standard, it’s also a legal requirement under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) PUWER regulations to have inflatables undergo annual safety inspections by a competent person. This can be a PIPA inspector or the original manufacturer. These inspections ensure that the inflatable continues to meet the necessary safety guidelines, offering protection both to users and business operators, and shielding operators from potential legal liabilities.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) mandates that equipment used in the workplace, including inflatables, is safe for use and properly maintained. Annual inspections are a part of ensuring compliance with these laws. If an inflatable fails an inspection or is found to have contributed to an accident, it could be used as evidence in court, reinforcing why EN14960 is "as good as law."
By having your inflatables inspected yearly by a qualified professional, you can ensure you're not only complying with industry safety standards but also protecting yourself from possible legal actions in the event of an accident.
I hope this information helps clear any negativity within the industry up and highlights the major safety elements
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