Showmans Pack/Controllers Pack (beta Version 1)
What is it?
Experience has found that Showmen at present encounter a differing degree of requests for documents when dealing with local authorities, safety groups and event organisers. The belief is that by encouraging a standard format of industry recognised documentation pack that this should make the process harmonised and easier.
Initially, this involves the circulation within the industry of a trial beta version Controller Pack to invite Showmen to undertake and give opinion upon in its infancy period.
Who did it?
The travelling associations of the Amusement Devices Safety Council (ADSC) constructed this sample format for a Showman’s Pack (or Controller’s Pack) of documents.
What does it include?
A completed Controller’s Pack would include all a host of documents such as insurance, risk assessments and safety certificates all within one tidy formulated document.
The beta Version 1 document contains a number of templates that have been devised to help with this process. Most Showmen will already have a lot of these files.When importing their own documents into the Pack it will become a unique to them.
What are the benefits of this pack?
QR Code Accessible
When completed, the Controller Pack can be uploaded to a website or Cloud storage such as Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox. It can easily be linked to via a QR code. The QR code can then be displayed in a pay-box (for example). If a local authority visits and wishes to see documents, they can be instructed to scan the QR code with their phone or tablet. This makes the process easier onsite if the weather is bad, or you are busy working or building up. The Pack can easily be password protested so that it can only be read by those the password has been given to.
Why the pack?
The sample Pack has the ability to be altered to suit individual operators, catering or acts. But, with the layout between different controller’s packs always laying out documents in the same way and order it will make the process a lot easier for local authorities to process as well. Once completed, every document that a local authority could ask for will be held within this one easy laid out Pack. Having a well-constructed pack available will also show a controller’s operations as best practice and will therefore be an valuable selling tool as well.
Keeping up to date with the requirements of HSE – Staff Training Section
One aspect of operation recently highlighted by the HSE has been staff training and competence. The Pack has a section on this subject including a sample Staff Induction Form which can be altered to suit.
How to adapt the Pack?
The sample Pack is meant as a starting point. Not a copy and paste exercise. The travelling associations of the ADSC feel that Showmen should take control of the process. As a result of this commitment from the associations, there are a series of short online tutorial videos to guide you through the process of altering the sample Pack with your own documents. The process of importing documents such as insurance and risk assessments has been made as easy as possible.
Some parts of the sample Pack can be edited to suit by typing in the alterations to suit (such as the Staff Induction Form). However, it is up to you to make the Controller Pack unique to you by not using (for example) generic Risk Assessments, or ones copied from elsewhere.
Need Help?
Initially, approach your trade association for help. To help those who need a little help or who are maybe not computer oriented, a few short initial tutorial videos have been uploaded to a specially created YouTube channel (link below). More videos will be added once feedback has been given as to which areas need more help with. An online webinar may also be planned at some point.
Is it an ongoing document?
The Pack is designed to be a ‘live’ document. Although some parts of it such as insurance may only need to be addressed annually, other parts such as risk assessments and staff training may need updating more often. It may be advisable to keep a log of changes and archive old versions to give an overview over time to refer back to.
Where to download the sample Controller’s Pack?
[link to the beta Version 1 of the Pack]
YouTube Channel for tutorial videos about the Controller’s Pack: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo0Z0goSQp0w-piwvnGctOQ
Notes to editors
ADSC – The Amusement Devices Safety Council is a collaboration between stakeholders of the travelling and fixed park fair associations.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/fairgrounds/adsc.htm
ADIPS is the Amusement is the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme.
