Safety Information
The UK Bungee Club is proud of its safety record, our procedures and practices lead the world in bungee jumping and we have always been at the forefront of health and safety innovations in our industry. The safety of our participants is paramount. The below information will give you an idea as to how we operate as a competent and safe organisation following a strict code of safe practice.
Introduction
Bungee Jumping was inspired by the traditional vine jumpers of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. Contrary to many people's beliefs modern Bungee Jumping began in the UK and not New Zealand. On the on 1st April 1979, four simultaneous jumps were made from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol by members of the Oxford Dangerous Sports Club and so a worldwide activity was born!
It remained a minority activity for several years, during this period this potentially dangerous activity was unregulated, incidents occurred resulting in serious and even fatal injury to participants. However, the experience accumulated made it possible to define safe methods of Bungee Jumping, including specifications for all equipment involved, qualifications of operators, procedures designed to alleviate human error, and controls designed to protect the participants. This experience was compiled into a code of safe practice in consulatation with HSE and is known as the BERSA code.
The management from the UK Bungee Club were initially part of the team responsible for developing the BERSA Code of Safe Practice and it conducts all of its activities in accordance with it. Over the last two decades the UK Bungee Club have continued to work with the relevant authorities to improve safety.
The BERSA Code
The Fundamental Safety Principles, as laid down by the BERSA code are -
- Informed Participation
- Redundancy
- Competence
These principals are carried out in all activities by The UK Bungee Club.
Informed Participation
Given the type of activity Bungee Jumping is, participants should not look at it as a ride or theme park type experience, it is an activity in line with rock climbing, mountain biking or abseiling. Consequently all participants wishing to take part in the activity must assess the risks involved. At the UK Bungee Club we help you to do this via a registration process where you the participant can read our documentation and inform yourself. Obviously this also involves some administration, including the signing of an insurance waiver form with a member of the crew present so that you are able to ask any pertinent questions that may arise.
Redundancy - or back up systems
The principle of redundancy dictates that failure of any one component in a system does not cause the failure of the whole system. This basically means that any task undertaken by staff, or equipment used, has a backup, in procedure or hardware to safeguard the participant. In Bungee terms if ankle harnesses were to fail, a second backup harness around the waist would then come into play, saving the participant. Likewise if a member of crew performs a task, it is independently checked by another member of crew prior to completing the activity.
Competence
The principle of Competence applies both to equipment and to personnel and requires they are of sufficient quality to competently perform the job demanded. The principle of Competence requires that safety related equipment satisfies the minimum standards which ensure its capability, both for normal use and for all anticipated extreme conditions of use. In addition, all safety-related tasks and responsibilities are assigned only to persons recognised to have the necessary knowledge and abilities to perform them.
These three principles are the backbone to UK Bungee Club's operations and are strictly followed in all of our operations.
Operating Crew
The UK Bungee Club crew are very highly trained with senior crew having sat written, oral and practical assessments. All crew are professional, friendly and proficient in dealing with participants who are often nervous whilst at the same time providing a safe but positive experience. A licensing system ensures that each crew member receives the training and experience appropriate to their tasks and responsibilities and a log is kept of the role each crew member undertakes at every event.
Equipment
- All equipment is logged and serial numbered.
- All equipment is independently tested and certificates are always available to view on the site.
- Each bungee rope has an individual log recording the total number of jumps and hours exposed to daylight.
- All equipment is checked daily and signed off by at least two crew members on a check list.
Review
- Activities are run according to the BERSA Code.
- All equipment is logged and checked daily and independently tested.
- Senior crew have performed written, oral and practical assesments.
- All participants will be checked independently by at least 4 crew members.
- Redundacy - back up equipment, harnesses and connections are always used.
- Full insurance is provided for every participant.
If you have any additional questions, please see our FAQ page or contact us.
