Safety Code and Risk Assessment

Woodlands Safety Code

Woodlands Safety Regulations

We consider the safety of all visitors to Woodlands to be of paramount importance. All equipment is designed to meet national Health and Safety standards. The following guidelines, drawn up by Woodlands in liaison with the HSE and BALPPA are for everyone's safety and are not flexible IMPORTANT to allow more supervision and combat inappropriate behaviour the free leader ratio has been increased. Children under 17 years must be supervised at all times.

Indoor Play

Empire of the Sea Dragon:

Trauma Tower - Minimum 1m
Dragon Ferris Wheel - Minimum 80cm, 80 - 110cm must be accompanied by person aged 16 or over, 110 cm + for a single rider
Submarine Ride - Minimum 80cms
Ice Palace (2 sides) - Toddler Side under 92cms, Junior Side min 88cms, max 126cms. Adults may enter to supervise, shoes must be removed.

Outdoor Play

Watercoaster:

Minimum 90cms

1. 90-130cm - Child must be accompanied by person 16 years or over

2. 130cm+ - 2 riders

Toboggan Run:

Minimum 90cms

1. 90-140cm - Child must be accompanied by a person 16 years or over

2. 140cm+ - Single rider ONLY

Swing Ship:

Minimum 110cm
1. 110 cm-125cm Child must be accompanied by a person 16 years or over.

2. 125 cm +   Child may ride unaccompanied.

Bumper Boats:

Minimum 90cms, Maximum weight 16 stone

1. 90-140cms - Child must be accompanied by a person 16 years or over. Maximum of 2 people.

Pedal Boats:

Minimum 90cms

1. 90-140cm - Person 16 years or over must accompany children. Maximum of 4 persons per boat, minimum of 2 persons.

Circus Drome:

Bouncy Castle - 90-110cms, no adults
Climbing frame - 90-110cms, no adults
Soft Play Area - 110cm maximum (adults may enter to supervise, shoes must be removed)
Climb & Tumble - 90-140cm, no adults
Master Blaster - 90cm and over (shoes must be removed)

Arctic Gliders:

Single riders only, minimum 110cms, maximum weight 16 stone

Ninja Towers:

Minimum 110cm. Children must be supervised.

The Seascape Mirror Maze:

Young children to be supervised by an adult.

Junior Karts:

Under 6yrs only

Yard Racers:

6 - 14 years

U Drive Tractors:

Minimum 90cms. Child must be accompanied by a person 16 years or over

Rock 'n' Roll Tugboat:

Minimum 105cms

Avalanche:

Minimum 140cm, single rider only

Polar Pilots:

Minimum 90cms, maximum 140cms

Dizzy Dune Buggies:

Minimum 90cms. 90–120 cms, Child must be accompanied by a person over 16

1. Legal Requirements:

Woodlands Leisure Park works to the requirements laid out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This is the principle Act that applies to the company to ensure that all workers are protected by law. Its purpose is to provide one comprehensive integrated system of law, dealing with the health, safety and welfare of employees and members of the public who are affected by work activities carried out at the Park. The Act is written in very general terms and does not require many specific requirements for managing health and safety at work. However, the act does place a general duty on employers, as far as is practical, that all employees and all persons not in their employment who may be affected are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 there are many specific regulations which relate to work activities at the Park. The principle requirement being that the Park undertakes Risk Assessments to both identify “hazards” and assess the risk under the Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. To ensure compliance, Woodlands Leisure Park has in place the following:

a. A comprehensive Health and Safety Policy, compiled by two consultants and approved by the Governments Department of Health & Safety and also by BALPPA.

b. Risk Assessments are undertaken by all Departmental Managers, with the support of trained personal such as the Parks Health and Safety Coordinator and/or the Park Operations manager, with regard to the work activities that they manage. Risk Assessments are reviewed when necessary

c. The Park is covered by Public Liability Insurance. The amount of cover provided by this policy is £5 Million. The Policy is with Jardine Lloyd Thompson Leisure Insurance Ltd, Policy No: 52431/G0600033 d. Government Inspectors from South Hams District Council and from HSE & HSO at Bristol & Plymouth carry out regular inspections, as do RoSPA and our independent consultants.

2. Ride Engineering and Maintenance:

All new rides incorporated within the Park are designed and manufactured in accordance with our strict standards and comply with UK requirements. Any new ride specifications and associated calculations are submitted to an outside independent qualified inspection engineer in order to establish the design of the ride is sound. This includes all aspects of the ride including forces involved, type of restraint, type of passenger carrying unit, any restrictions such as height etc. This process is known as “verification”.

In addition to the above, all existing rides and new rides have an “In-service Annual Inspection” by independent inspection engineers to ensure the safety and integrity of the ride prior to the start of each season. In addition, daily, weekly and monthly safety checks are undertaken by our own qualified engineers and annual inspections carried out by independent expert Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.

3. Ride and Attraction Operation:

The operation of all rides and attractions at the Park is compliant with the Parks strict documented procedures and manufacturers guidelines. The Park Operations team have a considerable amount of experience in operating all the rides and attractions within the Park which ensures continued safe operating standards.

All ride operators are trained to an acceptable, recognised standard and undergo a full Induction to the Park at the start of their employment. On completion they are then thoroughly trained to a high level of competence specifically related to each ride they operate. An operator is only allowed to operate a ride without supervision when the management are sure that they have met the criteria for the safe operation of the appropriate ride. Full individual staff training records are kept.

4. Livestock:

All the animals and birds at Woodlands Leisure Park are managed under the strict licensing conditions as established within the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. A dedicated team of keeper’s cares for all the animals and birds kept within the Park, backed up by the experienced local South Moor Veterinary Practice.

All the animals and birds are protected behind suitably constructed barriers. Hand washing facilities are provided.

5. Food Safety and Hygiene:

The Park operates food catering outlets which are operated only by trained employees. The food outlets operate in accordance with the Food Safety Act and are regularly inspected by the local Environmental Health Department.

6. First Aid Facilities:

The Park has a First Aid Centre which is situated across the patio from Reception, ring the bell and you will be attended by qualified First Aider.

Totnes Hospital is nearby which is an NHS walk-in treatment centre and minor injuries unit.

Torbay Hospital is the area general hospital with Accident and Emergency facilities.

7. Disabled and Handicapped people:

We welcome visits by disabled and handicapped people and will do all possible to ensure a safe and pleasurable stay. However certain rides and attractions in our park can be physically demanding and vigorous. As a BALPPA member we therefore reserve the right to refuse admission to certain rides should we feel there is a danger to a particular individual or individuals for whatever reason.

We have been advised by the Health & Safety Executive that refusal on the grounds of health and safety does not constitute discrimination.

8. Emergency Planning:

The Park has a contingency plan which is designed to come into operation in the event of an emergency. Selected staff members are trained in their specific responsibilities.

9. Park Security:

Departmental Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders are always around the park and have Two Way Radios. If a Security incident is seen and reported by a member of our staff there are members of the team that can deal with a minor incident or call for external support if deemed necessary.

Close circuit TV is present in certain areas of the Park.