Keep in mind that visitors may not be familiar with BSA guidelines and will have to be instructed on safety procedures for some events. People of all ages including very young children will be attending, so the Scout Unit may have to impose age restrictions on some events. See the “Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities for more information: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx

In addition to the Guide to Safe Scouting, all Federal, State, and Local (Travis County) laws, rules and ordinances continue to apply.  The Expo Center also has rules concerning safety and what is allowed in the venue. The License Agreement states:

“21. Defacement of Center - LICENSEE shall not injure, nor mar, nor in any manner deface the Center premises or any equipment contained thereon, and shall not cause or permit anything to be injured, marred or defaced. Without the express consent of LICENSOR, nothing shall be affixed to the building, furnishings or fixtures and no flammable materials may be brought on the Center premises unless the material is used in accordance with its intended use and unless the Director is notified in advance that such material will be brought on the Center premises. Pyrotechnics are prohibited at all times from the Center premises. No exceptions shall be made unless the Travis County Commissioners Court has expressly authorized such exception, in advance and in writing.”

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines flammable as having a flashpoint (an ignition source will cause a momentary flame) at or below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This includes all motor fuels, solvents, polar solvents, cleaning solutions, etc. that have “Flammable” on their labeling.           

The following ScoutJam 2010 Event Guidelines will also be in effect. Any variance from these guidelines must be requested in writing to the ScoutJam 2010 Chairman.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS – General Guidelines

Medical, fire and police emergencies will normally be handled by the Austin/Travis County Emergency Services.

1.      Medical Emergencies

a.      Provide life saving first aid as needed

b.      Call 9-1-1

c.       Contact ScoutJam 2010 Staff ASAP

d.      There will be emergency medical care available on-site at several locations. “Routine” medications and minor first aid will be handled at the Unit/District level as on a usual unit activity.

2.      Fire Emergencies

a.      Evacuate ALL persons from the area

b.      Call 9-1-1

c.       Contact ScoutJam 2010 Staff ASAP

d.      Attempt suppression/extinguishment if you are trained to do so – after evacuation and 9-1-1

3.      Police Emergencies

a.      Call 9-1-1

b.      Contact ScoutJam 2010 Staff ASAP

c.       Gather as much information as possible

1.      Exhibits featuring “jousting,” climbing towers, ropes, rappelling walls, bucking barrels or other activity which has the possibility of a youth falling, must provide padding equivalent to gym mats under all activities. (Aerobic/ exercise pads are not acceptable.

2.      All frames such as those that are made to contain mats and construct mazes must be padded and all bolts/nuts must be covered to avoid any injury upon contact.

3.      Exhibits which utilize liquids, including soap solutions, which have the capability of being spilled and making the concrete floor slippery, shall control that liquid and have provisions for cleaning up such spills.

4.      Monkey bridges may not be constructed higher than 5 feet above the surface nor may they be longer than 40 feet. The shoulder height of the crosser should be at least the distance between the hand ropes and the foot rope (4 feet tall at the shoulder if the distance between the hand rope and the foot rope is 4 feet).

5.      Exhibitors must realize that tin cans have the probability of sliding on smooth concrete surfaces when used as “stilts” and consideration must be given to control sliding and/or install padding to minimize the possibility of injury.

6.      All displays must remain within the assigned area, and not extend into the aisles. Booth displays may not extend beyond the front edge of the side dividers. This includes all balls, rubber bands, marbles, etc.

7.      Staffing (in addition to activity Supervisor) must include at least one other responsible adult at all times.

CAN CRUSHER - RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS

1.      Provide “Age Appropriate” eye protection/safety glasses and gloves.

2.      Adult supervision required at all times

3.      Guard against pinching of hands and fingers

JOUSTING REQUIREMENTS

1.      The ends of the device used for jousting must be well padded

2.      All participants must wear “Age Appropriate” helmets, safety glasses and protective leather gloves.

3.      Floor pads equivalent to gym mats must be provided (Aerobic/exercise pads are not acceptable).

4.      Adult supervision must be present at all times.

5.      A ‘gate’ will be provided to control people waiting to participate in the activity. Control must be maintained to keep people safely lined up and to not interfere with any other activity.

6.      Booth set up, operation and dismantling: Please note the Safety Guidelines must be followed and all necessary age appropriate personal protective equipment such as helmets, safety glasses, gloves, etc.-must be worn during set-up and dismantling the ScoutJam 2010 as well as during the activity hours.

7.      No swinging or any form of horseplay is to be tolerated.

MONKEY BRIDGE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      An adult leader must be present in the booth at all times (during construction, during display and during take down).

2.      The project should be structurally sound. Ties and lashings must be strong, tight and substantial. They must be checked frequently.

CLIMBING/RAPPELLING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      At least two qualified “Climb on Safely” trained persons must be in the booth at all times (during construction, during operation, and during take down). A “Topping Out” trained leader will be in the booth at all times.

2.      Climbing/rappelling towers/walls should be:

§  A maximum of 24 feet in height.

§  Designed to be freestanding with sufficient base support. If professionally engineered, please have plans with registered seal available for review.

§  Constructed of finished lumber or scaffolding with all exposed nuts and bolts covered to avoid any injury upon contact.

§   “Manufactured Commercial Harness” must be used.  NO Swiss Seats are allowed.

3.      All individuals rappelling and belaying must wear age appropriate climbing helmets and gloves (clean of chemicals) with leather palms.

§   Continually inspected by the unit for structural weakness, loose connections, excess wear and other factors which would cause the structure to be unsafe. (Additional inspections will be conducted by representative of the Health & Safety Staff).

6.      Climbing & Rappelling activities are to follow BSA ‘Topping Out’ Manual for all procedures and the 2009 BSA National Climbing & Rappelling Standards.

COOKING FIRES SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      Regulations forbid the use of charcoal, gasoline, kerosene, bottled gas or other flammable materials inside the Indoor Scout Midway.

2.      Fires will only be allowed in the outdoor display area, fueled by charcoal or propane only. No liquid starters. No other fuels are permitted.

3.      All booths and table coverings and other combustible materials composed of cloth, paper, and similar materials must be flame retardant treated. Any material added to a booth structure must be flame retardant. This shall include signage and awnings over cooking areas or attached to the booth in any manner.

4.      All cooking equipment shall be situated away from the crowds, buildings or flammable or combustible materials. A minimum clearance distance of 3 feet is required.

5.      A metal pan constructed of a minimum of No. 18 U.S. gauge sheet metal must be provided and placed under the fire box or barbeque pits or fireboxes to catch live coals which may fall onto the ground. The dimensions of the pan shall be such that it will provide complete coverage beneath any openings under the pit or firebox.

6.      The area around portable cooking devices shall be provided with protective barriers such as wooden barricades, roped areas, streamers or other physical barrier acceptable to the Fire Marshal to prevent public access or exposure to cooking or heat producing devices. A minimum of 3 feet clearance distance is required and shall be maintained at all times during use.

7.      Hot ashes, cinders, smoldering coals or other hot materials subject to spontaneous ignition shall not be deposited in a combustible receptacle within 10 feet of other combustible materials including combustible walls, awnings and partitions or within 10 feet of openings to buildings such as windows, fresh air vents or intakes, doors or other wall penetrations.  Units must provide suitable containers for extinguishment and disposal of hot ashes, embers and partially burned coals.

CUB PUSH-MOBILE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      All cars must have a seat with braced backrest, allowing the rider to comfortably steer with the feet.

2.      Steering is done with feet, which are placed on the front axle, and by the hands holding a rope fastened to the front axle.

3.      If threaded axles are used, the nuts must be secured with cotter pins or wire.

4.      Cars must be equipped with an adequate safety belt securely fastened to the main frame of the car.

5.      Cars must be equipped with a handbrake with its drag-rubbing surface faced with a rubber material such as a strip of an old tire. This will stop the car when dragged on the ground.

6.      The two 2-by-4 inch blocks must be fastened to the first axle 1/2 inch from the centerboard to limit turning radius.

7.      Two adult leaders must be present in booth at all times.

8.      Safety of the participants must be of utmost concern.

9.      All drivers must wear age appropriate protective head gear, such as a football helmet, motorcycle helmet, bicycle helmet or equivalent. All drivers must wear “Age Appropriate” protective solid leather gloves. All drivers must wear a seat belt.

10.  All vehicles must have safety blocks to limit the steering angle and turning radius.

11.  All Cub push-mobiles must be constructed to meet published and accepted standards. The following specifications and description of parts should help in insuring the construction of a safe Cub push-mobile:

·         Wheels should not exceed 12 inches in diameter.

·         All wheels must be equipped with solid rubber tires.

·         Car frame should be made from 2-by-4 inch construction lumber.

·         The overall length of the car should be a maximum of 5 feet; the wheel-base a maximum of 4 feet. The outside circumference of the wheel may vary from 30 to 36 inches.

·         Use roundhead 1/4 inch bolts to hold frame. Screws are a second choice. Nails are not suitable, because they may

FLINT AND STEEL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      When starting your fire, prepare a proper fire pit, such as a tuna tin can with no sharp edges. Scouts staffing the activity as well as participants must wear age appropriate safety glasses.

2.      Then take a good handful of tinder (frayed rope is the only material acceptable to use at ScoutJam 2010) and form it into a rough bird nest shape. Make sure the wind is at your back.

3.      Place this in the fire pit and lay pieces of char cloth in the dip of the “nest”

4.      Make sure you use plenty of char cloth to catch the sparks. Don’t be stingy!

5.      Hold flint with one long, sharp edge approximately four inches above the center of the cloth.

6.      With the steel in your other hand, strike downward against the sharp edge of the flint in a series of glancing blows. This is actually shaving off tiny, hot slivers of steel, which are the sparks. Keep striking the flint until you see a glowing ring of embers on the char cloth.

7.      Then fold the tinder around it, take a deep breath and blow steadily into the bundle until it ignites. Do NOT pick the bird’s nest up. Keep it on or in the fire pit and quickly move away from the fire to prevent burns.

CATAPULTS

Only tabletop Catapult projectile booths are permitted in the Indoor Scout Midway.

POWER TOOLS

Use of any gasoline-powered tools is prohibited. All other power tools must be used under an adult’s supervision in the Indoor Scout Midway.

BICYCLES, MOTORBIKES OR OTHER ROLLER EQUIPMENT

Indoor use of bicycles, motorbikes, skateboards, roller skates, roller shoes or rollerblades and scooters will not be permitted at ScoutJam 2010, except for bicycles to be used at the “Dirt Bike Mountain” exhibit. These bicycles must be walked inside the building to and from the exhibit.

GOLF CARTS, GATOR-TYPE VEHICLES, ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES, UTILITY VEHICLES AND OTHER NON-AUTOMOBILE VEHICLES

Use of these vehicles will be restricted to the following during ScoutJam 2010:

·         Legitimate use by handicapped or disabled persons (contact ScoutJam 2010 Staff for permit)

·         Movement of equipment from parking area to camping area, or exhibit area.  These vehicles must observe all traffic laws, follow established roads, yield to pedestrians at all times, and must use a seatbelt restraint for each driver/passenger.

·         NO motorized vehicle will be used indoors except by Facilities personnel or ScoutJam 2010 Staff.

BALLOONS

Balloons are not allowed in the Indoor Scout Midway.  Bottles or cylinders containing helium may not be brought into the Indoor Scout Midway.

WATER

Units must provide and use mops, etc. if your exhibit involves water. Remember - keep floor dry at all times to avoid a slip or fall!

EXTENSION CORDS

Heavy-duty extension cords should be used for all electrical connections. Cords must not cross walkways. Cords across floor inside booths must be duct taped to the floor.

SAFETY GLASSES

Age appropriate safety glasses are required for participants in activities where eye injuries could occur. This would include can-crushing, nail driving, rubber band gun shooting, compressed air projects, etc. Leather gloves must also be provided for activities that a Scout is hitting an object with a hammer, rubber mallet, etc.

SAFE BACKSTOP

Strict adult supervision and adequate areas for safe backstop and firing lines must be provided for displays involving projectiles, i.e., bean bags, blunt dart, rubber band guns, etc. Displays cannot encroach on walkways.

SMOKING

No smoking or the use of tobacco products are allowed inside Indoor Scout Midway.

NO PETS ARE ALLOWED.  Service animals only

NO STICKERS OR DECALS.  No stickers or decals are allowed.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

NAIL AND HAMMER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      “Age Appropriate” safety glasses and leather gloves must be worn by all participants.

2.      Nail MUST be started by an adult pre-nailing it in board.

3.      Adult supervision must be present at ALL TIMES.

4.      Aluminum nails are suggested.

TIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      Tires used in ScoutJam 2010 booths must be safe with no exposed metal belting that can cause injury upon contact.

2.      Staked tires must be secured so as not to fall over.

3.      You must take all tires used in the booth home with you. Indoor Scout Midway regulations prohibit leaving them behind at the close of the show. In addition, there are laws prohibiting the disposal of tires in commercial trash dumpsters.

4.      Adult supervision must be present at ALL TIMES.

5.      The activity must be contained within the assigned area.

RUBBER BAND GUN SAFETY REQUIREMENTS “TABLETOP” CATAPULT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1.      Only Tabletop catapults are acceptable.

2.      “Age Appropriate” safety glasses must be worn by participants.

3.      All apparatus, including projectiles, must stay within confines of booth.

4.      Only soft objects are acceptable as projectiles.

5.      No exposed sharp edges, corners or exposed bolts or nuts. Must be padded.

6.      Only fixed targets are acceptable. (No catching of any type of projectile).

7.      Adult supervision must be present at all times.