FEATURE Just walking through the park one day…


By Drew Tewksbury, McGowan Allied Insurance Co. Wow, what a summer!


I had the pleasure of walking through countless midways and amusement


parks as I travelled around this season. You should be proud of your industry and just how impressive the midways have become – they are bigger and brighter than ever. I saw steady lines and, other than some poor weather, everyone seemed in good spirits. During my visits I often get asked, “what are the most common types of accidents you see in this business?” You know, that is a great question. Some might immediately gravitate to the unfortunate and tragic accidents that draw national media attention, but the reality is that the common slip, trip and fall are what we see the most of through the season. Slips, trips and falls are by far the leading cause of injury


on today’s midways and in amusement parks or fun centers. What is crazy is that they are probably the most avoidable. Let’s look at the common exposures and what can be done to avoid patrons being injured by them.


1. Slips: Most commonly, patrons will slip on wet or uneven surfaces. Ground wet from sink run off, wet from spilled sodas or food, or even wet from a passing shower can cause a slippery surface. Often uneven platforms or steps that have been worn smooth can cause a slipping hazard. Simply paying attention to these conditions and cleaning them up helps tremendously.


2. Trips: I see it on most midways…electrical cords or waterlines traversing the midway. Many times, they are an exposed hazard, sometimes they are covered with a mat or a ‘yellow jacket’ yet even then they present a hazard to a patron not paying attention. Whenever possible burying these lines  


cords and hoses. I also see injuries caused by uneven ground and holes or


depressions in the grounds. This is more prevalent when the 


or lot. A solid and focused review of the grounds before setup is critical. Identify and repair any ground irregularity you may 


committee and ask for their help in remediating the hazard.


3. Falls: While not as common as slips and trips, these can be potentially very dangerous. Falls from poorly lit steps, uneven steps and platforms, and while loading or unloading a ride are common. All of these can be avoided by being diligent in making sure your steps are even, your platforms are well lit and free from debris, and that operators are particularly careful in the loading and unloading process. Taking a few extra minutes each and every day to focus on


preventing slips, trips and falls will go a long way to helping make your show and your midway the safest it can be. Reducing these types of incidents will also help reduce potential claims and work well to keep insurance costs stable. If you have any questions about this topic or any other risk management and insurance topic, feel free to contact me at any time.


Remember, Safety isn’t expensive…it’s priceless! 


The entire McGowan Allied Sales Team will be in Orlando for IAAPA EXPO 2024, Booth Number 3021!


PROFESSIONAL AUCTIONEERS P.O. Box 279 • Coldwater, MI 49036 5 517-279-9063


www.spiethandsatow.com dan@spiethandsatow.com


OABA ShowTime Magazine • OCTOBER 2024 15


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