Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to improve the safety standard of inflatables at funfairs.

The Health and Safety at Work Act applies to the supply, hire and use of inflatables for commercial purposes. The Act is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or by Local Authorities, depending upon where the inflatable is being used.

This legislation is supported by guidance published by HSE (http://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/fairgrounds/inflatables.htm) which sets out the steps that should be taken by operators to control the risks of operating and using this equipment; and by an annual inspection scheme for inflatables run by the industry’s two inspection bodies, the Pertexa Inflatable Play Accreditation (PIPA) and the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS).

Following two recent and tragic incidents in which children died, HSE is reviewing these arrangements to ensure that the high standard of safety for children using bouncy castles and similar play equipment is maintained. This work will encompass small businesses operating inflatables and inflatables used at funfairs.