The Table Top Circus / Jonathan the Jester/ Jesters Etcetera

Risk Assessment

General Risk Policy Statement

It is not possible to foresee exactly how people will behave or what they will do in any activity.  However, trends occur and it is possible to minimise risk or injury/pain using awareness and commonsense.  We ensure that all of our staff have a separate induction period of at least half a day before they commence on the job training for this purpose.  Our activities are fun and are actually easier than they may first appear.  We have outlined risk in the following areas.  

At least One representative of our group travels to juggling conventions every year in order to meet up with other workshop artists to discuss these issues.  While there have been tears and small injuries we are proud of the pro active stance we have taken in this area.  We want everybody to have fun. 

There is a saying that you can't wrap kids up in cotton wool.  Well we disagree.  You can give them good armour and safety equipment.  

Tent

Erecting the tent has certain small risks involving lump hammers and pegs.  It is therefore necessary not to allow public near the tent before erection is complete.

Once erected the tent is supported by guyropes.  There is a small risk of people tripping, so we mark pegs and ropes with flags and cloth to make them visible.  The guy ropes are light blue so as to stand out against green and brown grass.  Stakes and pegs are covered  to make them visible and soft and blunt.

All staff are trained and instructed in the correct use of equipment.  Junior staff  help keep public back from working area during erection.

Performances

During a show risk to public is small, even with audience participation stunts.  We do not take chances because of the sheer numbers of shows and audience we perform for every year.

With ALL stunts there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to change their mind and withdraw with dignity from the stunt.

Walk of Death  Low Risk   creates the impression of danger with juggling of apparently sharp objects over volunteers.  Objects are in fact juggling props that appear to be knives but are in fact blunt.  Also they are thrown in such a way that failure to catch results in objects going away from subject.  Volunteers are in fact placed in a very safe area below and away from any risk in what we call the drop vacuum.  In the event of props landing on a volunteer they are very light.

Volunteer on Shoulders. Low Risk.

 Risk is less than riding a bicycle as long as subject weighs less than 9 stone.  Only to be preformed by Jonathan will only lift children who are sleight and less than chest height to him.  Jonathan will only lift children if they are comfortable, well balanced.  At no point does Jonathan release volunteer from his grip.  Jonathan has had training and is capable of lowering and catching a panicking volunteer, although we have not yet had a panicking volunteer.  Volunteers are not lifted until they are comfortable and can be removed from the stunt at any time.

Volunteer with Ladder  Low Risk   

Child climbs up a ladder which is held by Performer.  Ladder is only 7ft high and volunteer is 3feet off the floor..   Another adult stands behind child as an extra level of safety.  Ladder can easily be gently lowered towards Jonathan so child can be gently lowered to ground at any time.  Ladder has improved grip on rungs.

Lifting of volunteer by Stilt walker.  Low Risk

Volunteer raises hands, stilt walker lifts verticly so volunteers feet can be up to 3 feet above floor.  It is easy to gently lower volunteer at sign of any trouble.  Young children not wishing to be lowered have been known to lift their feet away from floor.  We find that by releasing just one of the volunteers hands they quickly place their feet back on floor to safety..  This is always performed in presence of adult guardian.

Escapology Sack   Low Risk

Volunteer is asked to sit inside a canvas sack with is then loosely tied.  Volunteer is then pulled along the floor before the sack is lifted and then swung around gently before being lowered on the floor.  Sack is very strong and easily gripped, volunteers are light.  Volunteer is told exactly what is going to happen.  Volunteer is asked on several occasions to check they are okay.

General Performance  Props used are kept safely away from audience and are of high purpose built quality.  Props are examined before and after show to ensure that they do not fail during performance.

All performers have rehearsed and trained in participation stunts which are fun and unusual with the apparent air of risk for comic effect.

Fire and Sharp Object Juggling.  Audience is kept a safe distance way, performance area is kept tidy and clear of any flammable materials. 

Volunteers often enter stage for other stunts which are of negligeable risk.

Mix & Mingle

Small risk of knocks and bruises should unicyclists or stilt walkers stumble or collide with public.  Performers are trained to steer well clear of risk or dangerous activities for the safety of both themselves and public.  Stilt Walkers have option to use “puntleys” which enable them to become a tripod when faced with an unstable moment.  

Workshop

Workshop equipment is supervised to prevent violent abuse of equipment.  Juggling objects, risk of plastic objects stinging face if mis-thrown.  This is a very enjoyable activity which sometimes results in minor but tearful injuries.  However precautions are taken to prevent more serious injuries with equipment. 

Unicycles & Pedal Goes/Funwheels.  It is not possible to build up any significant speed on a unicycle, however risk of falling off is far higher.  As long as unicycles are used on flat surfaces risk of pain or bruises which are normally ignored by over excited children who just want to get back on.  Wrist guards are offered for children who may have weaker joints for any reason and children are encouraged to wear shin guards and elbow pads.  Children are not permitted to ride unicycles near to pegs and guy ropes although they are allowed to hold themselves up on unicycles using ropes for support under supervision.

Tight Rope

Two foot (24 inches high).  Falling off isn’t a big deal however unsupervised children can trip on the wire and land awkwardly or foot can slip and wire runs up inside leg causing a painful graze.  Children are supervised for this reason.  It is mandatory for participants to wear shin protection and only to perform as instructed.  Wire is covered up and slackened when unsupervised to minimise temptation to passers by.

Juggling Equipment

Plastic and fabric objects are thrown about.  Common sense dictates that these will sometimes hit other people.  Although injuries are few and minor there can be tears, cuts and bruises.  The only precaution we can really take is to advise participants and remove such objects from those who are abusive with them.

Walking Globe

The Walking Globe is deceptively easy and if used incorrectly can result in injury.  However, when used and supervised correctly the risk is far smaller than say riding a bicycle.

The Globe should be practiced on a flat and even suface protected by thin gym mats.  These will slow the globe down making it easier to balance on and cushion a fall.  The globe walker should wear elbow guards at least.  Wrist guards are reccomended.
A spotter should support the globe walker, not to hold him up, but to slow him down should he fall.

Globe walking is easily achieved and spectacular.  It is also a lot of fun.  Therefore the tempation to disregard these safeguards is immense.  It is therefore important that the globe is supervised at all times.

Experience performers (proffessionals) will perform without mats and without pad.  The Globe it 60cm high and it is very easy to step down from the globe with practice.  All staff are trained in stepping down from globe before performance is permitted.

Magic Workshop 

Nothing is risk free.  However, apart from misuse of scissors, there is little here that can present a significant risk.  Participants practice manipulation of coins, playing cards and occasionally use a pair of scissors which is supervised. 

Because of choking hazards children under 5 years of age are not permitted into workshop without an adult guardian.  

Shop

We sometimes have a small market stall selling items at events.  The tables used are of proffessional quality and this is erected by senior staff.