Use and supervise competent people operating on-site machinery

On-site machinery may prove beneficial to move or separate materials during an incident, such as waste or items of stock. However, this should be done following an appropriate risk assessment and under the supervision of the fire and rescue service.

Any suitable on-site machinery would need to be identified and should be operated by a competent person. The responsible person may be able to identify appropriate machinery and operators. This activity could create additional hazards, as on-site staff are unlikely to fully understand the incident command system.

Detailed briefings for personnel and others working in the hazard area should take place and any actions should be closely monitored.

If a competent person will be working within the hazard area, communication methods, including evacuation signals, should be implemented and understood before commencing operations.

When using on-site machinery, on-site staff should be closely supervised to ensure that they are not taking unnecessary risks and that they are aware of the presence of personnel and other emergency responders.

If the incident may benefit from the use of additional or specialist machinery, this should be proposed to the site owner, who would need to arrange for its hire.

Cranes

The crane supervisor should direct and supervise crane lifting operations to make sure they are carried out in accordance with the method statement. Information in a method statement should include:

• Planning, including site preparation, crane erection and dismantling
• Selection, provision and use of a suitable crane and work equipment
• Safe slinging and signalling arrangements
• Maintenance and examination of the crane and equipment
• Provision of properly trained and competent personnel
• Supervision of operations by personnel having the necessary authority
• Thorough examinations, reports and other documents
• Preventing unauthorised movement or use of the crane
• Measures to secure safety of people not involved in the lifting

Fairground and amusement park devices

Fairground and amusement park operators must have procedures in place to deal with foreseeable emergencies that may affect the site or individual devices. If the emergency involves a device, different groups of people will need to be considered, including:

• Passengers who may be young, old or have disabilities
• Spectators, who may be friends or relatives of the passengers
• Employees
• Members of the public and employees on nearby attractions

Operators must be able to evacuate people from their device in all foreseeable circumstances. This includes circumstances where the device has stopped in an abnormal position, including at height.

Evacuation plans and procedures of a device need to consider:

• How the device can be brought to a safe state and position
• The on-site emergency rescue equipment that may be required
• The availability, capability and response times of the emergency services
• The suitability of the ground for rescue equipment
• The ability to rescue children, elderly people or people with disabilities
• Liaison arrangements with the emergency services
• The training of ride operators, so that they know what to do if there is an emergency
• The testing of emergency procedures to ensure they are effective

Fire and rescue services should liaise with the fairground or amusement park operator to establish the appropriateness of the procedures they have in place for the ongoing emergency. These should be considered alongside the assistance that the fire and rescue service may be able to provide, including:

• Firefighting
• Rescue from height
• Casualty care

If a permanent fairground or amusement park has been identified by a fire and rescue service as requiring a Site-Specific Risk Inspection (SSRI), this should include details of evacuation plans and procedures for their devices and any specialist response that may be required. Location Notices should be used to capture information about temporary fairgrounds or amusement parks.