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Regulations Standards
Regulations Standards
iaapa.org/amusement-ride-safety/regulations-standards
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Then-Congressman Ed Markey convened a panel of leading doctors, biodynamic
consultants, medical experts, and ride safety specialists to study the amusement park
industry's safety record.The panel concluded it is unlikely that a federal agency could
match the effectiveness of the current system.
Relevant data consistently shows only a small percentage of incidents that do occur are
caused by factors subject to governmental ride operations oversight, namely either staff
or mechanical error.
In 1981 the United States Congress examined the CPSC's authority to regulate
fixed-site amusement rides
Like several court cases prior to that time, Congress determined that fixed-site
amusement rides could not be considered household products, are not within the
consumer’s control, and are constantly maintained by a team of experts.
Congress concluded that the facility buys the product and the consumer buys the
associated experience.
The CPSC acknowledged any effort to expand the agency’s jurisdiction to include fixed-
site amusement rides requires increasing the agency's staff and budget.
Amusement parks continue to report incidents to state and local governments and
partner with government officials and inspectors to ensure the safety of their guests.
Fundamental safety measures have been in place in the industry for decades
In addition to a thorough set of internal mechanical, electrical, design, and operational
safety checks and standards, fixed-site amusement rides are subject to one or more
layers of independent examination: state and local government, insurance companies,
and private safety firms.
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