Public Safety at Amusement Park

At historic Playland Amusement Park in Long Island Sound, New York, the June 29 accident involving a 21-year-old park worker was the third death in less than four years, and amusement industry experts are not amused. It may indicate a trend in poor oversight, said some experts.

At Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky, a teen-age girl was hospitalized after a loose cable on the Tower of Power ride severed her feet on June 25. The ride was reported to have made it through safety inspections every year.

In New York, the state Labor Department is conducting an investigation, since it regulates amusement park rides. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration office is not investigating because it is outside the OSHA jurisdiction. The amusement park is owned by the county and, therefore, is government-owned.

These two incidents have reminded concerned citizens and state legislators in Kansas about the need for state regulation of fairs. Kansas and a few other states have limited regulatory systems in place over amusement rides. Missouri lawmakers established a system of self-inspections after a roller coaster was derailed in 1997. The system is administered by the state’s fire marshal.

The Outdoor Amusement Business Association has again pushed for adoption of a regulatory system in Kansas. The association supported the failed efforts years ago. The association fears that without regulation, festival companies with inferior safety systems will be able to do business in the state. The majority of problems could be as simple as seat belts not being there and broken bolts not being replaced, adds another ride safety association spokesman.

The association cites Pennsylvania’s safety program, where rides are subject to inspection every 28 days, and when they are set up in another place, another inspection is required. Spot checks are also conducted plus registration with the state. Many associations push for state regulations to ensure consistent inspections standards are enforced and on a regular basis.

There is considerable variation in state regulatory oversight on amusement park rides, according to a watchdog group saferparks.org, and detailed information for each state is available from their website:

* Self-regulation by the industry; states do not have laws on ride safety and no authority to inspect (6 states, for example).
* Licensing systems in place, but inspections done mostly by private sector either insurance companies or ride owners themselves (14 states).
* Inspections done by public safety officials, mandatory reports issued on accidents to form part of public records (26 states).

It seems strange that there are still a number of states that exercise only minimal or no regulatory authority on amusement park rides. Some state legislators complain they are not getting enough support for proposals to get regulations passed. Maybe the consumers in each state should check the regulations in their state and put pressure on their legislators. That may save the feet of some children from getting cut off – or worse.