Jun 3, 2008 11:32 pm US/Eastern
State Launches Inspections Of All Carnival Rides
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The kiddy rides are getting a very grown up once-over from trained state inspectors.
From seat locks on brand new rides to emergency stop procedures on the T-cups to training requirements for the ride operators.
This year the Haunted Mansion ride in Lowell rumbled along with trained state inspectors on board.
It may still be scary for the kids but there shouldn't be anything for adults to worry about.
The manager of the Lowell Fair, Eugene Dean, says the Massachusetts inspections are now the toughest in New England and he welcomes them.
"It's a business by trade. But we all want to make sure that everything is safe. At the end of our day it's our livelihood, and we do not want to jeopardize that," Dean said.
It was four years ago this month when a 55-year-old man was killed after being thrown from the Superman ride in at Six Flags in Agawam. He was not properly locked in his seat.
A few months later in Shrewsbury, a 38-year-old mentally handicapped man was killed after he fell from the Sizzler ride at a church fair. Improper maintenance and operator error were to blame in that case.
Because of those two deaths in 2004, Massachusetts now inspects every ride at every carnival, which isn't easy to do.
The man over seeing the inspection effort is the Commissioner of Public Safety, Thomas Gatzunis.
"It quite honestly taxes our inspectional efforts," Gatzunis said. "And as a result of doing all the amusement inspections, all of our building and engineering inspections somewhat take a back seat."
The state says since the intense "every fair, every ride" inspection program launched, a number of traveling carnivals have stopped coming to Massachusetts.
Commissioner Gatzunis says, "There are a couple who no longer operate in the Commonwealth. If they are not going to follow the rules the way we have established them, quite honestly, we do not want them here."
So carnival season is here. And the state says it is making sure it's safe to have fun.
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