HSE / ADIPS Communications

[Ian Davies]

Website Link

FAIRGROUND RIDES – AMUSEMENT DEVICES INSPECTION PROCEDURES SCHEME (ADIPS)
Date:September 17, 2009 –5:54 pm

The current regulatory system in the fairgrounds industry is based on the HSE Guidance, HSG175 ‘Fairgrounds and Amusement Parks - guidance on safe practice’. ADIPS is a core part of this system. It is administered by the industry through ADIPS Ltd.

ADIPS sets out requirements for pre-use and annual in-service inspection of fairground rides by Approved Inspection Bodies (AIBs). Under the scheme ride controllers will engage the services of an approved inspector who will conduct an inspection of the ride. On satisfactory completion the ride controller will receive a Declaration of Compliance known as a DOC. HSE believes that ADIPS has contributed to the reduction in fairground accidents over recent, years. The scheme is supported by all the main ride controller organisations including the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain (SGGB), the Society of Independent RoundaboutProprietors (SIRP) and the Association of Independent Showmen (AIS).

These associations normally require their members to have their rides inspected by ADIPS approved inspectors. Failure to do so may result in expulsion and withdrawal of insurance cover.

Inspection of rides under ADIPS allows ride controllers to demonstrate that their ride has been inspected in accordance with industry approved and HSE supported standards. This will generally be sufficient to comply with the inspection requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Following the guidance in HSG 175 is, however, not compulsory although if ride controllers do not follow it they will have to demonstrate that they are taking other equally effective measures to comply with the law.

HSE has become aware of discontent within some sections of the travelling fair community arising from a perceived lack of AIBs to inspect their rides. This has led to some ride controllers opting to engage the services of non-ADIPS registered inspectors, some of whom act independently and others who have registered with an alternative scheme called the Fairgrounds Equipment Safety Scheme (FESS). FESS is not supported by any of the major trade associations nor HSE. HSE is also concerned about reports that some inspectors registered with FESS have been denied ADIPS registration for lack of competence or been removed from the register for a lack of diligence in their work.

HSE is currently working with the national trade associations through the Amusement Devices Safety Council to address these concerns and improve the current system. If you are presented with non-ADIPS DOCs you are of course entitled to accept these, however, you should be aware that the ride controllers have acted outside the current industry agreed and HSE supported standards for inspection of rides. This may also have repercussions regarding any insurance provided by their trade association.

Further guidance can be obtained free from the HSE website.
HSG 175 ‘Fairgrounds and amusement parks - guidance on safe practice’.
http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=9780717662494

The Amusement Devices Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS)
http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=ETIS8

Contacts

Cameron Adam
HM Principal Inspector of Health and Safety
Tel: 01412753000
Fax: 01412753100
Cameron.adam@hse.gsi.gov.uk
and Melvin Sandell
HM Inspector of Health and Safety

Melvin.sandell@hse.GSI.GOV.UK