MUTA is today calling on event organisers and regulators tokeep up-to-date with safety in the temporary structure and inflatable playsectors by signing up as affiliate members of the association. Fabric-based structures and equipment – such as marquees andbouncy castles – can create significant hazards at events, of which organisersand enforcement officers should be fully aware. MUTA, the trade association forthe industry, operates the MUTAmarq and PIPA schemes which accredit temporarystructures and inflatable play equipment respectively. It is now opening upmembership to local authorities, venues, and event organisers through a newaffiliate scheme in order to complement the promotion of industry bestpractice. MUTA has run four safety seminars for those with an interestin event safety around the country this spring. Over 100 delegates in total attendedthe events in Edinburgh, Stoneleigh, Runcorn and Bristol and they heard fromindustry experts on MUTA guidance for temporary structures, the MUTAmarqinspection programme and the PIPA scheme. The feedback from delegates wasoverwhelmingly positive. Affiliate membership is currently free. In return for acommitment of support for the schemes, affiliate members benefit from: ·        Health and safety support and advice ·        Monthly newsletter ·        Visit by our health and safety complianceofficer to the erection or take down at an event ·        Reduced rates for StructureSafe training andother relevant services   To find out more about affiliate membership or the seminarsMUTA will be running in the autumn, please contact the secretariat on 0207 6189196 or info@muta.org.uk. Tony Marsh, MUTA President, said: “The structural failures witnessed last year in Belgium andIndiana demonstrate the risks that fabric structures can create at events andthe importance of managing them correctly. MUTA represents competent companieswho want to work to best practice and we encourage everyone in the industry tofollow the standards we develop and set, in order to minimise the risk ofaccidents.” Helen Smith, an event officer at Cardiff City Council, whoattended the Bristol seminar, said: “The seminar was very useful and to the point. All of it wasinteresting and has given me a lot of confidence when dealing with structuresin my work. It should be a requirement for people procuring structures to have hadthis course!”

People hiring bouncy castles and marquees for parties tomark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee should ensure they use accredited companies,the trade association for the industry says today. Many members of the public will be organising events for thefirst time and may not be aware of the risks involved in bringing in inflatableplay equipment or marquees, which could collapse or blow away if not erected ormanaged correctly. MUTA, which represents the inflatable play and temporarystructures industries, runs two accreditation schemes that help customerschoose suppliers that follow best practice. The PIPA scheme certifies bouncy castles and inflatableslides that meet internationally recognised safety standards through a systemof annual inspections. Each compliant inflatable has a blue tag with a number whichcan be entered on www.pipa.org.uk to checkits safety status. The MUTAmarq scheme is a kitemark for marquee hire companiesand hirers of other types of temporary structures such as tipis. Accreditedhirers are subject to on-site inspections by MUTA’s independent inspector whoensures that their working practices are safe and that the finished product isstructurally sound and flame retardant. Customers hiring marquees for their event should make sure that theirsupplier has a current MUTAmarq compliance certificate or is listed on www.muta.org.uk. Tony Marsh, MUTA President, says: “Large fabric structures such as marquees and bouncy castlescan be one of the biggest hazards involved in events, and event planners shouldbe aware that there are safety standards suppliers should meet. Both our fabricstructure hire members and inflatable equipment inspectors are committed toraising professional standards within their industries and, in doing so, reducingrisks to the public, so customers should look out for marquee hirers with theMUTAmarq logo and inflatable play equipment with a PIPA tag.”

Following the retirement of Dr Barry Evan, who acted at the Convenor ofTC 45/SC 4/WG 13, the BSI’s committee for coated fabrics, the organisation issearching for a new Convenor to fill the vacancy. The current work programmes for WG 13 include: measurement of gaspermeability, the determination of bursting strength, determination of crush resistance, andthe determination of resistance to ozone cracking under static conditions forplastic coated fabrics. If there are any MUTA members who feel that that they have the necessaryexpertise to fill this position they should contact the MUTA Secretariat.Nominations must be received at the latest by 24 September 2012, with theappointment of the new Convenor taking place on 15 October 2012.  

Peter Coltilda, aka Peter Morrell, was arrested on 14th February for failing to appear at a court hearing in September 2011. He  was due to answer charges of “putting the public at risk” by carrying out an “unsafe modification” on a bouncy castle. At Caernarfon Crown Court he admitted failure to attend the hearing. His lawyer said Coltilda had gone to South Africa in early September to be with his former partner who was terminally ill. The judge ordered he remain in custody until a further hearing.

Two MUTA members walked away from the 2013 Wedding Industry Awards this month with regional prizes for Marquee Provider of the Year. PapaKata of York, and World Inspired Tents of Ilfracombe, Devon, won the North East and South West categories respectively. Tony Marsh, MUTA President, said: "Congratulations to PapaKata and World Inspired Tents for their huge achievement. It is fantastic to see the work our members do recognised in this way and look forward to seeing further success."

Berkshire-based MUTA member Marquees First has recorded a time lapse video that shows their crew erecting and dismantling a marquee installation for a wedding earlier this year. As well as showing what kind of bespoke structures clients can expect, the video also highlights the challenges involved. Siobhain Corkery of Marquees First says: "This particular site had plenty of space but not allon the same level (in fact there was a dramatic difference as it had to includea sunken garden) so we overcame this issue by building a balcony and unitingthe available space. "It also shows what we do from start to finish, it starts with a greenarea and finishes exactly as we found it, clients often need to be reassured wewon’t ruin their green!" The video is available on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWKeWQ_DGW8&feature=plcp