When this template fits
Inflatable hire operators, controllers and event organisers running bouncy castles and inflatable play equipment for the public. The operating duties — anchorage, wind limits, supervision and inspection — follow BS EN 14960:2019 and HSE guidance, alongside general duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Risk assessment and method statement for hiring and operating inflatables — wind and anchorage (EN14960 24 mph operating limit, 6+ ground anchors), supervision ratios, blower/electrical safety and annual PIPA/RPII inspection.
Sequence of works
- 1SITE SURVEY: Before delivery, visit or assess the site to confirm level ground, adequate clearance (minimum 1.8 m on all sides), overhead clearance, proximity to power sources and crowd management suitability. Record findings on the risk assessment.
- 2DOCUMENTATION CHECK: Confirm the inflatable holds a valid PIPA or RPII inspection certificate (within 12 months). Verify blower and extension leads have current PAT certificates. Brief all supervisory staff on emergency procedures and wind policy.
- 3WEATHER ASSESSMENT: Check wind forecast for the event duration using a recognised service. Have a calibrated anemometer available on site. Establish and communicate the threshold at which the inflatable will be deflated (24 mph / EN14960 limit).
- 4SETUP AND ANCHORING: Position the inflatable on clear, level ground away from hard hazards. Install a minimum of 6 ground anchors at manufacturer-specified points. On hard surfaces, use appropriate ballast bags. Mark all stakes with high-visibility covers. Erect perimeter barriers and signage around the inflatable and blower.
- 5PRE-INFLATION INSPECTION: Conduct a visual inspection of all seams, anchor attachment points, blower tube, netting and walls for damage or defects. Connect blower with RCD-protected power supply. Inflate and check structure is fully erect and stable before admitting any users.
- 6OPERATIONAL SUPERVISION: Station at least one trained supervisor at the inflatable at all times (ratio: 1:6 for children). Enforce user rules (no shoes, no sharp objects, no somersaults), capacity limits and age/height segregation. Conduct ongoing wind speed checks throughout the event.
- 7CONTINUOUS MONITORING: Check anchor points, blower connection and inflatable structure at regular intervals (minimum every 30 minutes). Re-inspect following any period of elevated wind. Keep event organiser informed of any concerns.
- 8WIND THRESHOLD ACTION: If wind speed reaches or is forecast to reach 24 mph, immediately stop admitting users, calmly evacuate all users from the inflatable, and deflate. Do not re-inflate until wind speed has consistently remained below the threshold. Record the incident.
- 9TAKEDOWN: Once operation is complete and all users have left, deflate the inflatable fully. Disconnect and safely store all electrical equipment. Remove all anchor stakes and check the ground is clear of trip hazards. Inspect the inflatable for damage before folding and storing.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Inflatable collapse due to high wind
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Check forecast and use a calibrated anemometer on site. Do not inflate or immediately deflate and evacuate if wind speed reaches or is forecast to reach 24 mph (EN14960 limit).
- › Install a minimum of 6 ground anchors per EN14960 requirements, using manufacturer-specified stakes or water/sand ballast bags on hard surfaces. Inspect all anchor points before each session.
- › Document a written wind management procedure specifying threshold actions. Brief all supervisory staff before the event opens.
Fall from inflatable
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Site the inflatable on level ground and keep a clear, obstruction-free zone around it — a clearance to the closed sides and rear, and a larger matted clearance at the open/entrance side — free from hard surfaces, fences, other equipment and trip hazards. Position crash mats at the step and any open sides.
- › Provide continuous, dedicated supervision by at least one responsible adult (aged 18 or over) at all times. Match supervisor numbers to the users ages: 1:4 for ages 2 to 5, 1:6 for ages 6 to 8, and 1:8 for ages 9 to 12. Provide additional supervisors for larger groups or mixed age ranges. Supervisors must be positioned to observe all users at all times.
- › Enforce user height and age restrictions as specified by the manufacturer. Separate sessions for under-5s and older children to prevent collision injuries.
Entrapment in deflating inflatable
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish and practise a written emergency deflation procedure. Supervisors must be trained to immediately guide all users off the inflatable and clear the area in the event of unexpected deflation.
- › Inspect blower connections, air tube attachments and power supply before each session. Ensure no unauthorised access to blower or electrical connections.
- › Strictly enforce the manufacturer's maximum user capacity to reduce the risk of entrapment if deflation occurs.
Electric shock from blower or power supply
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a 30 mA RCD adaptor or RCD-protected supply for all electrical equipment including blowers and lighting. Test RCD function before each use.
- › Ensure blowers, extension leads and associated electrical equipment hold a valid Portable Appliance Test (PAT) certificate and are visually inspected for damage before each use.
- › Use IP-rated outdoor-grade extension leads and connectors. Position all connections above ground level using suitable cable management. Suspend operation in heavy rain.
Structural failure of inflatable (not fit for purpose)
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Ensure the inflatable holds a current PIPA or RPII inspection tag/certificate (12-month validity). Do not operate any inflatable without a valid inspection record. Keep documentation available on site.
- › Conduct a visual and functional inspection of all seams, anchor points, blower tube, netting and safety walls before inflation at each event. Record findings. Remove from service if defects found.
Manual handling injury during setup and takedown
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use sack trucks, trolleys or wheeled transport wherever possible for blowers and rolled inflatables. Avoid carrying loads exceeding 25 kg without mechanical assistance.
- › Assess load weight before lifting. Use team lifts for inflatables. Ensure operatives have received manual handling awareness training and use correct technique (back straight, knees bent, load close to body).
- › Wear rigger gloves to protect hands during handling of equipment, ropes and stakes.
Crowd crush and public access hazards
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect physical crowd barriers around the inflatable and a separate exclusion zone around the blower and electrical supply. Display clear 'no entry' signage for unauthorised persons.
- › Mark all ground anchors and stakes with high-visibility covers or tape. Where practicable, use ground anchor systems that minimise surface protrusion.
- › Implement a supervised queue system with a designated queue marshal. Set clear user rules displayed at entry: no shoes, no sharp objects, no pushing.
Slip on wet or contaminated inflatable surface
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Discontinue use of the inflatable during rain or when the bounce surface becomes wet unless the unit is a manufacturer-designated wet-play inflatable rated for wet use.
- › Require removal of shoes and socks or use of grip socks before use. Prohibit clothing with buckles, zips or hard accessories that could damage the inflatable or injure other users.
- › Place non-slip entry/exit matting at the inflatable entrance. Inspect and clean the mat regularly throughout the event.
Competence
- ✓ Operators trained and competent in the equipment and task, and briefed on this risk assessment before use
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Blower(s) on an RCD-protected supply
- › Calibrated anemometer for wind monitoring
- › Ground anchor stakes (380 mm × 16 mm) or validated ballast for hard standing
- › Crash/safety mats at the step and open sides
- › Manometer to verify blower pressure
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Wind management: a calibrated anemometer is used and readings recorded; equipment is not operated at or above 24 mph (EN 14960), including forecast gusts; a written deflate-and-evacuate threshold is in place
- ✓ Anchorage: all anchor points are used — a minimum of six ground anchors per unit (or the validated ballast equivalent on hard standing) per EN 14960 — and checked before each session
- ✓ Inspection: a current annual PIPA or RPII inspection tag is held, supported by daily pre-use checks of seams, blower, electrical supply and safety walls
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a bouncy castle / inflatable hire risk assessment RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for bouncy castle / inflatable hire risk assessment, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to bouncy castle / inflatable hire risk assessment?
HSE — Inflatable bouncing devices: safe operation, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.