Bronson Urges Caution On Fair Rides

Bronson Urges Caution On Fair Rides

NOVEMBER 18, 2008 – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging consumers to follow all safety rules and regulations posted at carnivals and fairs. The fall festival season is underway and many Florida communities have fairs this time of year. The leading cause of injury on fair rides is patron error.

Statistics show that patron error accounts for an average of about three quarters of all accidents reported. The rest are mechanically related or the cause is undetermined. Florida has one of the strictest fair ride inspection programs in the nation and Bronson believes the ride owners and operators are doing a better job of assembling, inspecting and maintaining the rides as a result of the Department’s inspections. Since 1997, the number of amusement rides on which deficiencies are found, on first inspection by the Department, has decreased from approximately 60% to about 44%. Ride deficiencies include such conditions as: any mechanical, structural or electrical problem, expired insurance or permit, out of date testing, or incorrect assembly of the ride. All deficiency found on an amusement ride must be corrected before that ride is allowed to open for public use.

Ride patrons should always obey the minimum height, age, weight and health restrictions posted at ride entrances. Riders also need to heed warnings about standing up on rides and keeping their arms and legs inside the rides when instructed to.

The Department's Bureau of Fair Ride Inspections is responsible for inspecting amusement rides at temporary events (fairs, carnivals and festivals) and permanent amusement facilities (go-kart parks and water parks) for structural and operational integrity. All traveling amusement rides are permitted once a year, but each amusement ride must be inspected each time it is set up and must pass inspection prior to being open to the public. Rides at permanent amusement facilities are inspected and permitted twice each year. Florida has about 188 permanent amusement parks and more than 183 traveling amusement companies. The Department’s 15 ride inspectors performed over 10,000 amusement ride inspections in Florida last year.

"Carnival owners and operators have an obligation to provide a safe, well maintained ride for fair goers and our inspectors work hard to ensure the rides are assembled properly and are in good working order," Bronson said. "But people also have a responsibility to be sure the rides are age appropriate and to follow the rules to prevent accidents."

Ride inspectors receive refresher training at least twice each year to keep up to date on the latest inspection techniques, manufacturers’ bulletins and safety alerts. Department inspectors use laptop computers in the field as a resource to verify ride information on expiration of permits and insurance and inspection history. They use a comprehensive 26 point checklist to inspect carnival rides from top to bottom to ensure maximum public safety.

For more information about fair ride inspections, log on to the Division of Standard's website at www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/fairs/index.html.