Policies & Safety

Health & Safety Policy Statement

Revised August 2026

Issued in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Section 2 (3)

It is the policy of the Carnival Committee to do all that is reasonably practicable to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the volunteers, entrants, and all visitors to the event. The onus for safety rests with the Carnival committee, volunteers, float organisations, and drivers. The Committee respectfully reminds those taking part of their responsibilities with regard to the health and safety of all other persons involved with the event.

Carnivals are an important part of the colour and culture of local communities. However, it is of the utmost importance that these events are run in a responsible manner and with full consultation with the Police, Cornwall Council, Highways Agency, Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, NHS Ambulance Service, and any other agency involved with the event.

Regulations for Entrants

1. Vehicle Compliance: The vehicle and any trailer forming part of the float must comply with Section 40A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (amended 1991).
2. Insurance & Licensing: A certificate of insurance or suitable indemnity must be in force covering the use of the vehicle and float in the carnival. The vehicle must have a valid road licence (Tax) and an MOT certificate.
3. Construction & Inspection: The float vehicle or trailer must be of sound construction. All trailers must be attached to a towing vehicle with a safety chain or wire rope. All floats will be inspected prior to the procession by a competent person, who has the final decision on the vehicle’s inclusion in the procession.
4. Securing Displays: All equipment and displays must be securely attached to the float in such a manner that they will not become detached while going up or down a hill or when stopping.
5. Towing & Brakes: All vehicles towing a trailer must comply with weight restrictions and have brakes on the trailers designed for the purpose to prevent collisions with floats in front or behind.
6. Passenger Safety: All passengers on floats must be provided with safety equipment by the float organisers to prevent falling during the procession. No float is to carry more passengers than is considered safe for the area of the float.
   • STRICTLY NO ALCOHOL IS TO BE CONSUMED PRIOR TO OR DURING THE PROCESSION BY DRIVERS, PASSENGERS, OR SUPERVISORS.
7. Supervision & Prohibited Items: Each float must be under supervision by a suitable person walking alongside who remains in contact with the driver at all times. Should the supervisor have any concerns, the float must be stopped until deemed safe to proceed. At no time must water, flour, or other substances be thrown from the float; any float observed doing so will be immediately expelled from the procession at the next exit.
8. Speed Limits & Movement: No passengers shall be carried on a float unless it is in the procession. Maximum speed during the procession shall not exceed 5 MPH. No one is permitted to climb on or off the float while it is in motion.
9. Vehicle-Trailer Gap: Vehicles with trailers attached must have a means of preventing any person from crossing between the vehicle and the trailer.
10. First Aid & Safety Equipment: Each float should carry a fire extinguisher and a small first aid kit for immediate use. Senior marshals in each section will be in direct communication with the control team to coordinate emergency services if required.
11. Marshal Instructions: All entrants (floats and walking entries) must at all times be prepared to follow instructions given by members of the carnival control team, senior marshals, or volunteers.

Insurance Reminder: Please include a copy of your Public Liability Insurance with your entry.

Float Safety Certificate

Please display this certificate on your float or towing vehicle in full view of all marshals. Failure to comply may disqualify the entry from the procession.

NAME: ________________________

SIGNATURE: ___________________

DECLARATION: THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN CERTIFIED SAFE AND PROPERLY DOCUMENTED BY THE ENTRANT.

Safeguarding Policy

Revised July 2026

1. Introduction

1.1 The Launceston Carnival Committee is committed to supporting and promoting the welfare of volunteers, exhibitors and members of the public and is committed to the provision of a safe environment at the event.

1.2 The Committee recognises that within the event volunteers may come into contact with children or vulnerable adults.

1.3 The Committee wishes to ensure that it maintains the highest possible standards to meet its responsibilities to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

1.4 In the discharge of its functions and in implementing this policy and procedure the Committee will remain mindful of its duty of care and other legal obligations, such as those it owes under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Data Protection Act 1998, The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Equality Act 2010, The Protection of Freedom Act 2012, and The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Additional information is available within the Guidance on Safeguarding documents.

1.5 This Policy and associated Guidance are designed to assist the committee to achieve the commitments set out above and to take reasonable steps to safeguard those who are vulnerable by ensuring there are clear guidelines and procedures for identifying risk, reporting concerns and that appropriate action is taken.

1.6 Contact with children and/or vulnerable adults may occur in any part of the event.

1.7 This policy sets out how the committee will deal with concerns raised that an individual may be at risk:

• A child or adult raises an allegation of abuse, harm or other inappropriate behaviour.
• There are suspicions or indications that a child or adult is being abused or harmed or is at risk of exploitation, harm or abuse.
• There are observable changes in a child or adult’s appearance or behaviour that may be related to exploitation, harm or abuse.
• A concern is raised that an individual presents a risk of abuse or harm towards a child or adult in relation to, for example, his/her criminal convictions, or downloading, possession or distribution of inappropriate images or extremist material.
• Concerns arise that a volunteer is vulnerable to radicalisation and there is an identifiable risk of being drawn in to terrorism.

2. Key Principles

2.1 The Committee will take all safeguarding concerns including suspicions and allegations of exploitation, harm or abuse (including radicalisation) seriously and will report concerns promptly.

2.2 Safeguarding referrals to the relevant statutory authority will be made on the basis of identified and considered risk.

2.3 At the event all volunteers should normally report any safeguarding concerns in the first instance to a Safeguarding Officer or to the Medical Centre who will in turn take the appropriate action.

2.4 Appropriate DBS checks are required by the Launceston Committee to be carried out.

3. Scope

3.1 Definition of vulnerability

For the purpose of this policy the committee defines vulnerability as being when a child or adult is at risk of exploitation, harm or abuse, including the risk of radicalisation. While the definition of vulnerable adult or child are set below, the policy notes that a person can become vulnerable as a result of specific circumstances or situations which may increase the risk of exploitation.

3.2 Vulnerable Adult

The committee defines a vulnerable adult as a person aged 18 or over who is or may be, in need of services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is, or may be unable to take care of him or herself or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm, abuse or exploitation, including being drawn into terrorism.

3.3 Definition of a child

The committee defines a child as a person who is under the age of 18. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education does not change his or her status for the purpose of this policy.

3.4 For the purpose of this policy the committee deem to include all volunteers, exhibitors and members of the public.

4. Designated Safeguarding Officers

4.1 Katrina Rich 4.2 (Unassigned) 4.3 (Unassigned) 4.4 (Unassigned)

These persons will have the back up of the medical team at the event.

5. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

5.1 It is the remit of Social Services and/or the Police to investigate safeguarding concerns. The Committee will undertake a risk assessment before making a referral to such an external agency.

5.2 Safeguarding concerns should be reported to a designated Safeguarding Officer so a written report can be made.

5.3 In the first instance a member of the Committee should normally report any safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Officer at the event.

5.4 If a Safeguarding Officer is not available then the matter may be reported direct to the Police or Social Services.

6. Risk Assessment

6.1 If a safeguarding concern is raised with a designated Safeguarding Officer a risk assessment is undertaken to assess the appropriateness of a referral to Social Services or the Police.

6.2 The designated Safeguarding Officer (or nominee) is responsible for ensuring that a record of the risk assessment process and the outcome of the risk assessment is made and any appropriate follow up action is undertaken.

6.3 The Committee will liaise with other partner agencies as appropriate in order to address the safeguarding concerns identified.

7. Action by Committee

7.1 The Committee reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary with regards to safeguarding concerns.

8. Retention of Information

8.1 Written records of any safeguarding concerns will be retained for as long as is necessary for the purpose for which it was obtained or as legally required or lawfully permitted.

8.2 All documents will be held by the Secretary of event in a secure cabinet.

9. Training

9.1 The Committee will ensure that training of volunteers will be carried out as required so that there are always appropriate persons to cover the Safeguarding Officer Position.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

10.1 The designated Safeguarding Officers will record any incident relating to safeguarding concerns and will report to the Committee on a yearly basis.

11. Review of Policy and Procedures

11.1 The Committee is responsible for overseeing and updating this policy and procedures particularly with respect to legal obligations and external requirements. This policy and procedure will be formally reviewed every three years and updated as appropriate.