As part of our responsibilities in organising the procession, we are keen to keep all participants and spectators as safe as possible.
Below is some information to help you, your group and the spectators safe during the Carnival event.
Any vehicle used in connection with the carnival must have the appropriate insurance for both the vehicle and the passengers. Please check this with your own insurance company.
Vehicles and trailers must be in legal and roadworthy condition. The Carnival Committee have the right to inspect any vehicle and/or float used in the carnival, and may not permit it to enter if there is or perceived to be any safety risks. The committee’s decision is final.
The Carnival Committee do not accept liability for such damage or injury that may be incurred or suffered during or as a result of the carnival.
All participants in the carnival must act in accordance with the advice and instructions from the Carnival Committee members and the carnival marshalls.
FLOAT FITNESS.
The vehicle and any trailer forming part of the float must comply with Section 40A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Please read the advice contained within and ensure that those involved with the float comply with the safety measures aimed at ensuring accidents are prevented.
SAFETY ADVICE.
The advice stated below will ensure that Carnivals will continue to operate and that the risk of injury to any person will be minimal. The onus for safety of the vehicle, its passengers and members of the public supporting the Carnival rests with: The Carnival Committee, the Float Operator and the Driver of the Float.
Each member of the Carnival Committee can be held responsible for permitting or rejecting a Carnival Float which is likely to cause danger, by taking part in a Carnival Procession on a public road. This also includes the owner of the vehicle, the owner of the trailer and each individual member of a group who subscribes to that individual float. Anyone neglecting his or her responsibility risks prosecution.
SECTION 40A ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1988.
A float vehicle or trailer must be mechanically sound and not be suffering from corrosion or defect that is likely to lead to failure. Any float or equipment carried on a vehicle or trailer should be secured and substantial enough for the purpose.
The vehicle or trailer must be suitable to perform the job it is intended, e.g. you cannot pull a ten-tonne trailer with a Land Rover 90 series, because the drawing vehicle was not designed for that purpose nor the brakes capable of stopping such a load.
You cannot carry more people than the vehicle was designed to carry. Passengers carried on an open vehicle or trailer may fall off and injure themselves. Passengers must not be in a position where their safety is compromised.
Anything carried on or bolted to a vehicle or trailer must be such that at all times it remains safe.
The test to be applied in all cases is: Would the vehicle or trailer, or the load or passenger be in any way likely to cause injury to any person carried in or on the vehicle or in the proximity of the vehicle whilst it is on a public road? If you think it is then the vehicle should not be used. You are criminally liable and possibly in danger of civil law clams if subsequent injury is caused. A certificate of insurance or suitable indemnity must be in force covering the use of the vehicle and float in the Carnival Procession. The tyres, lights and brakes must conform to legal requirements.
General information.
The consumption of alcohol during the procession is prohibited.
Please nominate a member of your group to be responsible for all aspects of safety and to act as a point of contact between your group and the Carnival Committee both before and during the event.
Children under 14 years of age must have an adequate number of adult supervisors who will be responsible for the children.
Keep any groups of children together and well away from any moving vehicles at all times.
Although arrangements are available for first aid, it is advisable to carry a small kit. We recommend that you carry drinking water to stop the effects of dehydration.
We discourage crowds from throwing coins as it can cause serious injuries. Collection tins must not be operated from floats. Only walkers may collect using official Harvest Fair or Helston Town Band collecting buckets (Unless otherwise authorised in writing).
Please do not throw sweets from the procession as they can encourage children to pick them up from the street which has the potential to cause serious accidents with children in amongst the moving vehicles.
No water, flour or other missiles should be thrown from the float. Advertising material and samples must be handed out by walkers and not by people on the float.
Please ensure that all electrical items in use are fitted safely, waterproof and are suitable for outside use.
Float specific entries.
The Carnival Committee accept no responsibility for the vehicle being transported to or from the Carnival event.
All float entries must have a completed Carnival Entry form which is signed by a ‘responsible person’ for the float which agrees to abide by the rules and conditions of entry.
The vehicle and any trailer must be in legal and roadworthy condition. The trailer must not exceed the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle. The total length must not exceed 9m.
Maximum speed during the procession is 5 mph and drivers should endeavour to keep up with the vehicle in front to prevent large gaps in the procession occurring.
The driver of the vehicle must have a clear view of the road ahead and both sides of the float at all times. A means of communication, either verbal or radio, must be available between the driver and the passengers on the float to halt the vehicle immediately should the need arise.
Adults walking alongside the float should be clearly seen by the driver at all times.
If there are people on the float they should be seated in securely fixed seats or use securely anchored restraint harness’ or there must be adequate handrails or sideboards to protect them from falling off.
Nobody should ride on a float with their limbs hanging over the edge at any time.
Nobody may go between the towing vehicle and the trailer when it is in motion.
The number of persons on a float should be restricted to a reasonable level.
Only mount or dismount the float when the vehicle has stopped moving.
All Carnival participants must act in accordance with instructions from the Police and or Carnival Marshalls at the assembly point and along the procession route.
Edited from a document produced by
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
Devon County Council
Cornwall County Council
