CPSC Urges Further Safety Inspections of Mobile Amusement
Rides
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 1998
Release # 98-155
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC Urges Further Safety Inspections of Mobile Amusement
Rides
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following an in-depth investigation into
what caused a Reverchon Himalaya ride to eject three riders
at a Texas rodeo, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) has issued additional guidelines to ensure
riders' safety. One rider was killed and two others were
seriously injured when the Himalaya's lap bar failed on
March 19 in Austin, Texas.
Since the incident, CPSC has issued three safety alerts
to states for inspection of the ride in critical areas. CPSC
is now asking ride operators and inspectors to check eight
specific components, including fastener pins, rubber shock
absorbers and center spindles. About 25 Himalaya rides
operate in the United States at both mobile carnivals and
fixed-site parks. Reverchon of France manufactured the ride
in 1984.
In a separate action, as a precautionary measure, CPSC
also is urging all states to immediately inspect the mobile
amusement rides known as Ranger, Kamikaze, or Hi-Flyer, in
accordance with the manufacturer's recently issued safety
bulletin. California Ride Safety Officials have discovered
severe corrosion on some of the rides' shoulder restraints.
If the shoulder restraint were to fail, riders could be
severely injured or killed. There have been no reported
incidents with these rides. About 17 Ranger, Kamikaze, and
Hi-Flyer rides operate in the United States at both mobile
carnivals and fixed-site parks. FarFabbri of Italy
manufactured these rides from 1988 to 1992.
While CPSC has jurisdiction over the mobile rides that
move from place to place, states and local communities are
responsible for inspections and oversight. State safety
inspectors will work with CPSC to ensure the rides operate
safely.
While most states currently have some mandatory
regulations or inspection program to ensure ride safety, the
following states have no regulations and do not require that
rides be inspected for safety: Alabama, Kansas, Missouri,
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah and Vermont.
The following states have insurance company or other private
inspections, but do not require inspections by state or
local regulators: Arizona, Minnesota, Mississippi,
New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas.
