The recently introduced series of fairground safety electrical inspection courses, organised by the UK-based Amusement Devices Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS) in conjunction with the Faraday Centre in Middlesbrough, UK, continues to go from strength to strength.

The course is a mandatory element to being able to register as an ADIPS electrical inspector and the first event, which was fully booked, was held in October 2006. Subsequent courses have taken place in December and most recently in February. A total of 12 places are available on each course, with those inspectors wishing to continue to carry out electrical inspections having to have passed the course by 30 June 2007.

ADIPS has confirmed that there will be a sufficient number of courses run prior to 30 June to accommodate all those wishing to attend, while the organisation’s Chief Executive Geoff Robson commented that the first few courses held have proved very successful.

“The course is part of our on-going efforts to constantly maintain and improve all aspects of safety within the amusement ride industry,” he said, “and it provides those who successfully complete it with a clear understanding of the appropriate levels of competence required and a benchmark for the level of their ongoing inspections.”

Also pleased with the introduction of the course was the Health and Safety Executive’s John Madden, HM Principal Electrical Inspector, Scotland Specialist Group, who commented: “This development is very welcome and HSE is strongly in favour of the course. It will help ADIPS to confirm that those who are inspecting the electrical systems on amusement devices have the appropriate skills and knowledge for the task, as well as providing a means for individuals to develop their skills in this complex and important area."

Robson also stressed that it was important for existing ADIPS registered fairground and amusement park electrical inspectors to remember that they must pass the course by the deadline date of June 30, 2007. If they did not do so, he said, they would be unable to register as an ADIPS accredited electrical inspector and would therefore not be able to issue electrical test reports for inclusion in an ADIPS DOC.

He also confirmed, however, that any electrical inspection certificates issued prior to June 30 by inspectors who have not taken the course would remain valid.