State Regulations

Overview

Devices Covered:

Includes most mobile carnival rides; most theme park rides; most water park rides and devices; go-karts, rock climbing walls, bungee jumps, zip lines, mechanical bulls, trackless trains, inflatables, and various simulators. Excludes non-mechanized playground equipment; physical fitness/training devices or obstacle/ropes course equipment; Zorb or hamster balls; animal rides. Challenge courses are exempt if they have insurance >= $100,000 / $300,000 for fixed site; or $1 mil / $1.5 mil for portable.

Inspection Program:

Rides are inspected annually by the owner/operator’s insurance company.

Investigative Authority:

Operators may re-open a ride following a serious accident once the ride has been re-inspected by the operator’s insurance company. Local law enforcement officers have authority to shut down an unsafe or non-compliant ride operated at a carnival or smaller amusement park, but may not interfere with operation of rides at larger amusement parks, even if the ride is non-compliant or appears to be unsafe.

Reporting Criteria:

The operator shall file an injury report on a quarterly basis and shall include in the report a description of each verifiable injury caused by a ride that results in death or injury that requires medical treatment. The term “medical treatment” includes treatment (other than first aid) administered by a physician or by registered professional personnel under the standing orders of a physician.

Special Conditions

Rides at permanent parks are exempt from state requirements for daily ride inspections. Rides at large permanent parks are exempt from statute allowing law enforcement officers to shut down unsafe or non-compliant rides.

Last Update

April 9, 2017