SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Regulating for Public Safety at Amusement Parks

Regulating for Public Safety at Amusement Parks
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Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 07/13/07 01:25:00
 
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.