Investigation Guideline

Investigation Guideline
Product: Amusement Rides
Appendix # : 96
Date amended: August 2004
1. Introduction
A. Background Information
This guideline is a general guideline for amusement ride investigations. It should be used
for both on-site and telephone investigations. Assignment messages for individual
investigations may highlight particular areas of special interest.
CPSC has authority over mobile rides. These rides are moved from location to location as
part of fairs, carnivals, parties, or other events. CPSC does not have authority over fixedsite rides found in amusement parks, theme parks, or otherwise fixed locations. Often,
CPSC is interested in an incident involving a fixed-site ride, because the same or similar
ride is used in mobile settings.
In 2002, there were an estimated 6,800 non-occupational amusement rides injuries treated
in emergency rooms. Of these injuries, an estimated 3,000 occurred on mobile rides.
In recent years, inflatable rides, such as “bounces” and slides, have grown in popularity
and CPSC has observed an increase in injuries associated with these rides. CPSC has
issued a safety bulletin for these rides that provides recommendations on the proper
setup, the number of operators, the number of riders, and necessary wind conditions.
Please, refer to the Amusement Ride Safety Bulletin (Revised 12/5/2001) before
beginning the investigation of an inflatable ride.

B. Product Descriptions
The Consumer Product Safety Act Section 3(a)(1) gives CPSC authority over certain
amusement rides by including the following in the definition of a consumer product:
...any mechanical device which carries or conveys passengers along, around, or
over a fixed or restricted route within a defined area for the purpose of giving its
passengers amusement, which is customarily controlled or directed by an
individual who is employed for that purpose and who is not a consumer with
respect to that device, and which is not permanently fixed to a site.

C. Specific Items of Interest
Assignment messages for individual investigations may highlight particular areas of
special interest. The setup and operation of amusement and inflatable rides (who, when,
how) are of special interest.

D. Headquarters Contacts
Mark Levenson
Thomas Caton

EPHA
ESME

301-504-7408
301-504-7543

If excessive delays are expected or there is difficulty obtaining information from the state
safety officials, the owner, or the operator, please notify the headquarters contacts.

11. Instructions for Collecting Specific Information
A. Synopsis
Contact the ride owner, ride operator, and local or state officials and then the victim. See
“Directory of Amusement Ride Safety Officials” on www.cpsc.gov for local and state
officials. If the victim cannot be reached, obtain any information from medical, police, or
rescue reports.

B. Description of Incident Environment
Include:
• Location of the ride e.g., theme park, carnival, school. Be sure to state whether the
ride is a fixed-site or mobile ride.
• Any safety or warning information posted at the ride
• The number of people on the ride at the time of incident
• The number and roles of the ride operators
• The experience and training of the operators with amusement rides and the particular
ride
• The approximate number of people waiting for the ride at the time of incident
• Description of the wind and weather conditions at the time of incident

C. Description of Interaction between Injured Person(s) and Product
Include:
• The height, weight, and age of the victim(s)
• Any relevant information on other riders
• The prior experience of the victim(s) with ride
• Any unusual behavior or condition of the victim(s), riders, or operators
• Any difficulties in the ride seating or restraint because of the size of the victim(s) or
other riders
• A narrative of the events prior, during, and post incident, including any factors that
may have contributed to the incident

D. Description of Product
Include:

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Ride type e.g., roller coaster, water slide, bounce
Ride manufacturer and model names
Information on ride serial number plate
Description of any restraint system, seats, or cars
Age of ride
How long has the ride been set up
For inflatable rides, describe the anchoring system, including, the number and type of
tie downs, and the presence and use of any anchoring weights or stakes

111. Photographs/ Diagrams of Incident Scene
For on-site investigations obtain photographs or diagrams of
• The ride
• The seats, cars, and restraints if applicable for the ride
• The location of the operators
• For inflatable rid es, the anchoring system

IV. Obtaining samples and documents related to the investigation
Obtain:
• Any ride inspection certificates or reports issued by the manufacturer, owner, or state
or local government
• Any medical, police, or rescue reports