This summer, a 10-year-old boy died on the world’s largest water slide (17 floors high) at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The opening of the ride was delayed several times due to engineering concerns, according to Slate magazine. As amusement park rides become more and more extreme, you might find it surprising to learn that regulation of the amusement park industry varies widely from state-to-state and, according to Slate, is generally “lax.” Slate notes that, “the amusement park industry actively fights attempts at increased regulation.” In fact, in 1981 Congress rescinded the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) oversight of permanent rides, only allowing the CPSC to monitor temporary rides that typically move state-to-state for smaller fairs.
For the most part, only about 50 percent of states require regular inspections and allow state agencies to investigate accidents at amusement parks. Florida, home to Busch Gardens, Disney World and Universal Studios, doesn’t require these parks to submit to accident investigations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission oversees temporary parks, fairs and carnivals and investigates accidents that occur at those events. But state and local agencies are responsible for fixed-site parks.
In Wisconsin, the Department of Safety and Professional Services “establishes and enforces standards to protect the design, construction, and operation of amusement rides and attractions. The division reviews plans for new installations of non-portable amusement rides and provides consultations and inspections to ensure safe operations.” All amusement rides must comply with SPS 334 (even those rides that are mobile and travel from state-to-state) and must be registered to operate. Rides are subject to “periodic inspection” by the department, but amusement parks do not need to report every injury — only those that “require more than first aid treatment.” Fatalities “must be reported to the department within twenty-four hours of occurrence.”
Because of the variable amusement park regulations, and no formal reporting process, there is no data concerning how many people are injured at amusement parks within the United States. While the majority of amusement park rides are safe, consumers should use common sense. Obey all posted safety regulations. If harnesses aren’t functioning properly, alert park personnel immediately. And follow height and weight recommendations — don’t break the rules.
