Skip to Main Content


This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html.
 
Subchapter 6.2. Permanent Amusement Ride Safety Orders
Article 2. Requirements, Other Than Recordkeeping and Transfer of Information, Applicable to All Permanent Amusement Rides
Return to index
New query

§3195.9. Motion Restriction and Other Specific Hazard Control Measures.


(a) Emergency Brakes and Devices.

Ride conveyance vehicles shall be provided with emergency brakes or other equally effective emergency stopping controls, if upon failure of normal stopping controls, collision may reasonably be expected to occur and result in patron injury or equipment damage. Low speed vehicles designed for controlled collisions, such as bumper cars, do not require emergency stopping controls.

(b) Anti-Rollback Controls.

Each permanent amusement ride with a passenger conveyance vehicle that traverses an inclined track shall be provided with automatic anti-rollback controls, unless such controls would conflict with manufacturer recommendations.

(c) Speed Limiting Devices and Systems.

(1) Each permanent amusement ride capable of exceeding its maximum design operating speed shall be provided with a speed-limiting device or system to ensure that the ride cannot exceed that speed at any time while patrons are on board.

(2) Mechanical Governors.

(A) If a mechanical governor with an adjustable setting is used as a speed-limiting device, the adjusting mechanism shall be sealed so that the speed setting cannot be changed without breaking the seal.

(B) If the seal is broken, the ride shall not be operated with patrons on board and the speed setting shall be readjusted and resealed per manufacturer specifications prior to reopening the ride to patrons.

(3) Other Speed Limiting Devices or Systems.

If a speed limiting device or system other than a mechanical governor is used to control the maximum speed of a permanent amusement ride, the device or system shall include safeguards to prevent the ride operator from being able to alter the maximum speed setting.

(d) Signal Systems.

(1) Signal systems shall be used and shall be adequate to do the following:

(A) Control the dispatching of rides as necessary to prevent collision due to any failure of the ride or ride unit to clear a stopping point.

(B) Control the operation of the ride so that neither starting nor stopping the ride results in an unsafe condition. In the case of starting the ride, the signal system shall require that, before the start signal is given, there is confirmation that all patrons are safely secured within the ride and all other persons are a safe distance from the ride.



Exception: A signal system is not required if the ride is controlled by a single operator who can clearly observe all phases of operation of the ride.

(2) All signal systems shall be tested at least once each day prior to the initial operation of the ride with patrons on board. No ride shall be operated with patrons on board if the signal system is not functioning properly.

(3) A written explanation of the use and testing of the signal system for each ride having a signal system shall be available at the operator's or signaler's stations.

(e) Protection of Patrons from Hazardous Surfaces and Moving Parts.

(1) Surfaces of permanent amusement rides with which a patron may come in contact shall be free from sharp, rough, or splintered surfaces, edges and corners, and from unguarded or unprotected protruding studs, bolts, screws, and other projections. Surfaces that a patron may forcibly contact while in motion shall be adequately padded or otherwise designed and maintained to protect against injury.

(2) All moving parts with which patrons may come into contact shall be sufficiently guarded to protect against injury.

(f) Patron Retention, Restraint, and Support.

(1) All tubs, cars, chairs, seats, gondolas, and other carriers shall be equipped as necessary to provide protection against injury with devices that retain, restrain, or support the patron during all phases of ride movement. All fastenings shall be of a type that cannot be released inadvertently by the patron or by other accidental means.

(2) All belts, bars, fastenings, anchorages, footrests, and other equipment or devices intended for the protection of patrons while they are on permanent amusement rides shall be of adequate design for and be maintained to perform their intended function.

(g) Accessing and Exiting Permanent Amusement Rides.

All steps, ramps and walkways inside the site of the permanent amusement ride used by patrons for accessing and exiting the ride shall be of adequate design for and maintained to perform their intended function.

(h) Operation and Control of the Ride.

(1) All rides shall be operated and controlled only by authorized persons. All authorized persons designated to control the operation of the ride while it is moving shall, during the period of movement, be within immediate reach of the operating controls, even if automatic devices are used to control the time cycle of the ride.

(2) All rides shall have a stop switch within immediate reach of the authorized person or persons designated to operate or control the ride at all times while the ride is in operation.

(3) In addition to the stop switch required by subsection (h)(2), each electrically driven permanent amusement ride shall have a disconnect switch within reach of the authorized person for use in case of emergency. In lieu of this disconnect switch, a stopping device that must be manually reset may be used.

(4) No permanent amusement ride stopped with a device required by (h)(2) or (h)(3) shall be capable of starting immediately upon reset of that device.

(5) Equipment rooms, machinery rooms, and all other areas unsafe for access by patrons or other unauthorized persons shall be posted to forbid unauthorized access and locked, fenced, barricaded, or otherwise secured to prevent unauthorized access. Fences installed or replaced after July 12, 2003 shall be in conformance with the specifications of ASTM F 1159-02.

(6) Electrically energized overhead screens used to power bumper car type rides shall be free of holes that are not part of the design.

(i) Electrical Wiring Affecting Permanent Amusement Rides.

The installation of all new electrical wiring for permanent amusement rides shall conform to the applicable requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 3, California Electrical Code, 1998.

NOTE

Authority cited: Sections 142.3 and 7923, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 7923, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 6-12-2003; operative 7-12-2003 (Register 2003, No. 24).

Go BackGo Back to Article 2 Table of Contents