Operational Issues: Who's Running These Rides?

Operational issues have big impact on patron safety. Company policies vary widely from park to park and carnival to carnival. Regulatory oversight of operator hiring and training policies varies by state.

Key Questions to Ask

Does the company use adults or children to operate thrill ride machines?
The Department of Labor has ruled that thrill rides do not meet the definition of hazardous machinery in federal child labor law, so there is no prohibition in federal law against minors operating thrill rides. Only 52 U.S. states have enacted laws to prohibit minors from operating full-size mechanical amusement rides. Corporate policy varies. Disney and Universal, require that ride operators be at least 18. Other park chains, such as Six Flags, use high school students.
Are the posted rules consistently enforced?
The company culture determines how firmly operators and attendants will enforce safety rules, such as minimum height limits and accompanied rider rules. Operator age influences this as well. Patrons will follow rules when they're consistently enforced. If the attendants give a wink-and-nod to safety rules, so will patrons.
Can the operators and attendants speak English fluently?
In order to reduce costs and expand their hiring pool, some ride owners will use foreign labor. Hiring ride operators who aren't fluent in English to operate complex machinery labeled in English, manage crowd control in emergencies, and ensure the safety of thousands of English-speaking patrons every day is a risky business.
Are required staffing levels maintained on all rides?
Manufacturers provide ride owners with documentation on minimum required safe staffing levels and recommendations regarding duties and positions of the ride operators and attendants. Understaffing rides increases the risk of accidents, but some companies short staff rides anyway to save money or to keep rides open when the labor pool dries up.
Does the company enforce sobriety requirements for operators and attendants?
Safety policies regarding drug and alcohol use by ride operators are, in most cases, addressed at the discretion of ride owners. A few states have laws prohibiting ride operators from working while intoxicated. Industry standards do not require that operators remain sober while on the job, although they do prohibit patrons from riding while intoxicated.

What Can Consumers Do?

Always follow the rules posted on the ride and the instructions given by operators. No exceptions.
Treat operators and attendants with repect. Teach your children to view them as lifeguards because that's what they are, even if their theme park bosses happen to dress them up like Tyrolean elves.
Never pressure a ride attendant to break a rule for you or your child.
- Height, weight, and health restrictions are set for your benefit. In many cases they're already too lax. This is especially true for minimum height limits on rides used by children. If you put your kindergartener in platform shoes to sneak her on a ride she's too short for, you're risking her life. No kidding. If something goes wrong, you will regret that impulse as long as you live.
Never board an amusement ride if you feel uneasy about the way it's being operated.
- If the ride attendants look young, immature, or inattentive, choose another ride.
- If you notice that the attendants are ignoring posted minimum height limits and allowing smaller riders on board, they're not taking the job seriously. If they're willing to put those small riders' lives at risk, they're likely to be as cavalier about your safety too.
- If you have trouble communicating with a ride operator, think twice before boarding the ride. What would happen if something goes wrong? Do you really want to trust your safety and the safety of your children to a company that can't afford English-speaking employees?
- If it looks like the attendants on a particular ride are spread too thin for safety, choose another ride. If the ride operator is also the ticket taker, the height checker, and the queue manager, he may not be able to give his full attention to the machinery and the riders.
- If a ride operator or attendant is inebriated, report it immediately to security staff or police.