Who is responsible?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and your Local Authority are both responsible for enforcing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its related regulations.

However, in most circumstances it will be your Local Authority who will have responsibility for enforcing the law for inflatables (unless they are being used on a Fairground).

The Local Authority Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) have enforcement powers to deal with safety matters related to the use of inflatable devices used by members of the public, including the use of 'prohibition notices', which enable the officers to stop certain activities which pose a present and current safety issue to members of the public.

Part of their work is to also ensure that companies work in accordance with health & safety law and do not routinely and unnecessarily expose people to risk.

When should I consider reporting?

If there is clear evidence of unsafe practices, which pose a health and safety threat to members of the public.

Further detail is available on the HSE website, which will give you an idea as to what precautions inflatable operators should be taking. Bouncy castles and other play inflatables: safety advice (hse.gov.uk)

I am aware of a company who has poor practices

For the EHOs and local authorities to be able to take action, there must be:

• A present and current health and safety issue
• Evidence of regular incidents or occurrences which demonstrate regular exposure to risk.
• Evidence of an accident, or numerous accident

Without sufficient evidence, which is permissible in the court of law, the local authority may not be able to take action.

If you are aware of a company who:

• Routinely installs / set up inflatables in an unsafe manner
• Uses equipment which has not been subject to an annual inspection by a competent person
• Have had an accident on their equipment, which is likely to occur due to an unsafe operation or set up
• And you have the evidence which is listed above, then you are in a good position for the concern to be reported to the local authority.

What information with the Local Authority need?

For the EHOs and local authorities to be able to deal with your safety concerns you will need to ensure that you provide the following information.

• The name of the venue or site where the inflatable is installed and how long the activity is likely to last.
• The name and contact details of the operator of the inflatable device. (This is often displayed on the actual device)
• Details of organiser of the event and/or the owner of the property.

How do I report concerns to a local authority?

Step 1:
Gather the evidence. Ensure it meets the requirements laid out above.

Step 2:
Find out where to report it. Usually, the easier method to do that is to search online using the local authority's name, followed by "health and safety complaint" or "environmental health concern".

Step 3:
Complete the report form. Ensure you provide the evidence gathered and present it in a way which clearly highlights the risks involved and the exposure of the risks to the public.