Cherie Berry
Commissioner
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Striving to keep North Carolina riders safe.
The N.C. Department of
Labor inspects more than
5,000 amusement rides
that provide entertainment
for millions of riders. The
inspectors check the rides
for mechanical and struc-tural
integrity. However,
most accidents are caused
by human error—a factor for the most part our
inspectors can’t control.
In 2004, the department launched a
program to emphasize tips that riders should
follow to make sure their ride is a safe one. The
rider safety campaign is aimed at elementary
age riders and their parents. Bookmarks with
rider safety tips were passed out to elementary
schools, and large signs with the tips were posted
at fair entrances. The department continued the
campaign in 2005.
We’re pleased to say that the campaign has
been a success. Injury incidents are down, and
the response from the public has been great.
Our partners at the N.C. Association of Fairs
and the Amusement Device Advisory Board
have expressed their enthusiasm about the
program and wish to see it continue. We hope
to make the rider safety program an annual
tradition. Thank you for your contributions to
the amusement device industry, and here’s to a
wonderful 2006 fair season.
“Again this year, in the State of North Carolina,
there were no serious accidents on the rides at our
fairs. The zero tolerance policy of inspections estab-lished
by your department … have proven once
again that North Carolina is the safest state in the
country for amusement rides.”
—John Chilcoat, president
N.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs
“During the past several years, the number of people
we have treated has declined. The inspections done of
the rides have greatly reduced the number of injuries.”
—Kathy Ellen, instructor coordinator
American Red Cross
Amusement Ride Facts
About 2,500 non-occupational injuries from
mobile amusement rides were treated in
2004—down from about 3,000 in 2003—
according to estimates from the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
North Carolina has never experienced a fatality
due to mechanical failure.
The NCDOL amusement ride inspectors
inspected 5,507 rides in 2004.
North Carolina is the only state that requires
amusement rides to be exactly to the manu-facturer’s
specifications before the ride is
allowed to operate.
Why should I participate in the rider
safety campaign?
The rider safety campaign has reduced the
number of recordable injuries at local fairs.
The campaign gets children and their parents
involved and excited about rider safety.
A proactive approach to safety is always the
best approach.
For more information regarding ride safety,
contact our Elevator and Amusement Device
Bureau at 1-800-625-2267 or visit our Web site
at www.nclabor.com.
State Publications Collection
