FEATURE Boosting Safety through Proven Controls Ty Vanderstappen, NAARSO Social Media Committee
There is always room to improve safety of amusement rides. New practices, standards, and technology enable us to consider various ways to ensure the safety of guests, ride operators, maintenance personnel, and third parties. The Hierarchy of Controls, a well-established framework in occupational safety, offers a systematic approach to hazard eliminate exposure to hazards. It is arranged from the most effective to the least effective measures.
Implementing the Hierarchy of Controls
1. Elimination – Physically eliminate the hazard
At the top is elimination, which involves removing the hazard altogether. For amusement rides, this control can be more challenging to implement. Reviewing maintenance logs, accident reports, ridership, and cost can be factors to determine if an amusement ride has reached the end of its useful life.
2. Substitution – Replace the hazard with a less dangerous one
Replacing a hazard with a less dangerous one can be another control more challenging to implement for amusement rides. One consideration is working the with ride’s manufacturer or and determine if older systems can be replaced with modern ones to reduce risk. This could include operator controls, mechanical/electrical/hydraulic systems, ride vehicles, and more.
3. Engineering Controls – Isolate people from the hazard
from hazards. An example could be adding additional fencing or increasing its height near higher risk areas. Another type of engineering control is the use of sensors technology. This could be sensors to indicate if entrances open during the ride cycle and stop the ride or prevent an employee from leaving their position by having a pressure pad that must remain engaged during the ride cycle.
4. Administrative Controls – Change the way people work
This involves change the way people work or behave to reduce risk. This includes implementing strict operation procedures, conducting regular safety training for staff, and consistently enforcing safety rules for rides. Providing clear and consistent signage that communicates rules and safety hazards reducing the risk of injury. Regular inspections and maintenance are also administrative
controls. Ensuring inspections are following requirements set forth by the manufacturer and properly logging issues can indentify and address potential issues before they lead to incidents.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)– Protecting the worker with personal protective equipment
At the bottom and least effective is PPE. Examples include providing fall protection systems for guests and employees to use while evacuating a roller coaster lift, or while inspecting a ride at height. Ear protection may be required for certain amusement rides or areas with loud machinery.
By applying the Hierarchy of Controls, traveling shows and amusement parks can create a safer environment for everyone involved. This approach not only helps in preventing incidents
ployees and guests.
16 OABA ShowTime Magazine • OCTOBER 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
