§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many fairground rides have been surveyed in each year since 1990: and by how many surveyors. [85727]
§ Mr. Nicholas Brown[holding answer 10 December 2002]: The Health and Safety Executive does not hold this information. The industry, in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive, is however developing a system that will be able to supply this information in the future.
Guidance produced by the Health and Safety Executive in consultation with the industry "Fairgrounds and Amusements Parks, Guidance on Safe Practice", requires that every fairground ride, and any ancillary parts of the ride which may affect the safety of the ride are subject to thorough examination at least annually, or within any shorter period specified by the manufacturer or appointed inspection body.
Once the inspection body that carried out the examination is satisfied with the safety of the ride, a Declaration of Operational Compliance, (DoC) is issued to the operator to allow him to continue to operate this fairground ride.
772WThe number of registered inspection bodies (excluding those registered to inspect coin operated children's rides) was 27 as of 4 December 2002. This information is available on the NAFLIC web page http://www.naflic.org.uk/adips-2002.htm. Further details can be obtained from NAFLIC, PO Box 752, Sunderland SR3 1XX. Tel/Fax 0191–5239498.