Amusement Device Inspection

The Work Health and Safety Regulation requires the person with management or control of an amusement device to ensure a detailed Amusement Device Inspection is completed at least once every 12 months by a competent person.

Amusement Device Inspection
They must also ensure that the maintenance, inspection and, if necessary, testing of the amusement device is carried out by a competent person. This competent person must have acquired the knowledge and skills to carry out the task, through training, qualification or experience.

DRA has over 26 years of ‘hands on’ experience in the Amusement Industry and have been supporting Major Theme Parks across Australia during this time.

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Amusement Device Inspection Competencies

DRA are not a newcomer to this service for the Amusement Industry, as we have been supporting Major Theme Parks for over 26 years. We are recognised by the various Work Health and Safety Regulators in each State and Territory for the level of service we provide. Our Qualified and Certified Engineers can assist with the Amusement Device Inspection (Amusement Ride Inspections) and any necessary testing that must be carried out. We also ensure that the recommendations of the designer and/or manufacturer of the amusement device are taken into account.

Our Engineering Staff carry out detailed annual inspections of many types of amusement devices across Australia. These Engineers are registered with the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (RPEQ) and have acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to inspect Amusement Devices.

Inflatable Amusement Devices

For inflatable amusement devices with platform heights under 9m, this competent person is not required to be RPEQ certified but is considered competent if they have acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to inspect this type of plant.

We can assist with developing emergency procedures for your inflatable device. These procedures must be documented in the operation manual and periodically tested to ensure that those supervising the device know how:
– to setup and secure the inflatable device
– to respond to unexpected wind events
– when to remove riders from the device
– how to remove any riders trapped in the device
– how to deflate and secure the device.

People supervising the device must be trained in these procedures and deemed as competent to perform the tasks. Periodic refresher instruction and training should be performed to maintain operator competence.

Additional general information is available through Safework Australia which provides advice for small businesses and workers on hazards and risk controls for inflatable amusement devices.

The Amusement Device Inspection

An Amusement Device Inspection (Amusement Ride Inspections) is about examining all safety critical parts and safety functions to identify defects which are or may become a danger to persons so that they can be rectified. Defects are made clear in a written report and advised to the person at the time of inspection. Where defects posing imminent danger are found, these should be rectified before the inspection can be deemed satisfactory and the issue of annual safety inspection certification.

It is expected the inspection will identify that satisfactory maintenance and safe operation will continue and there is no misuse, abuse or unforeseeable exceptional circumstances. See the FAQ’s below for additional information.

DRA Amusement Industry Services

Our services to the Amusement Industry include but are not limited to:

– Assessment of operational history documentation and procedures
– Assessments of conformity to Design
– Assistance in the preparation of NDT and maintenance schedules
– Certification
– Design reviews
– General inspections of amusement and theme parks
– Initial testing
– Production of safe-operating manuals
– Ride and device inspections, including specific inspection of the critical components of the amusement device
– Technical support for clients
– Various related health, safety audits/inspections/training
– Verification of device repairs

DRA Amusement Device Inspection

The DRA Engineers are specialists in the Amusement Device world through being members of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Being the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The Engineering Consultants have also attained and maintained engineering certification of RPEQ to the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (Australia).

Drawing on over 25 years of experience working with the owners and maintenance teams of fixed and mobile amusement devices to develop programs for confirmation Amusement Device Certification.

Where required our Engineering Consultant will complete inspections with the use of our drone to reduce turnaround time and reduce costs from eliminating the need for expensive scaffolding and or elevating work platforms to complete the inspection.

Book a consultation today

Health and Safety Support

One key aspect puts our service above others, we have an integrated approach to amusement and theme-park ride and device inspections. We incorporate health and safety services in the inspection of rides and devices. The Team of Engineers are supported by Health and Safety Professionals with extensive knowledge of the application of the legislative requirements and many Standards associated with the Amusement Industry.

Should part of any visit include questions that relate more to the Health and Safety aspects, our Engineers have contacts that can immediately provide them advice. This service compliments the Amusement Device Inspection (Amusement Ride Inspection) and assists many businesses. DRA can also provide Safety Management Systems Audits, Safety topic training and general advice to the business.

If you are interested in our WHS Consultancy services, you can contact David, Andrew or Mark to discuss your Health and Safety Issues. 

Information relating to the Inflatable Amusement Devices is discussed in one of our posts on the topic.

Our qualified and certified RPEQ Engineering Consultants that can assist you in your business with David, Rhys, Sina, Jack, Mitchell and Ryan available to assist with any question relating to Amusement Devices.

We also offer a range of WHS consulting services along with general and specific health and safety training courses.

Contact us today for an obligation free quote on any of our services.

Following are some general questions asked of our Engineering Consultants with reference to Amusement Devices.

What is an amusement device?
An amusement device is an item of plant operated for hire or reward that provides entertainment, sightseeing or amusement through movement of the equipment, or part of the equipment, or when passengers or other users travel or move on, around or along the equipment.

Amusement devices do not include:
– a miniature train and railway system owned and operated by a model railway society, club or association
– a ride or device that is used as a form of transport and that is, in relation to its use for that purpose, regulated under another Act or an Act of the Commonwealth
– a boat or flotation device that is solely propelled by a person who is in or on the boat, or a device that is not attached to mechanical elements or equipment outside the boat or device and that does not rely on artificial flow of water to move plant specifically designed for a sporting, professional stunt, theatrical, or acrobatic purpose or activity
– a coin-operated or token-operated device that:
– is intended to be ridden, at one time, by not more than four children who must be under 10 years old
– is usually located in a shopping centre or similar public location, and does not necessarily have an operator.

Safe Work Australia has additional information on Amusement Devices however please contact your local Regulator for any specific State or Territory requirements.

What is a major inspection?
Under the WHS Regulation, a major inspection of an amusement device involves:
• a thorough examination of all critical components of the device, including if necessary, stripping down the device and removing paint, grease and corrosion
• a check of the effective and safe operation of the device.

An Amusement Device Inspection ensures all the high stress areas and critical parts of the device are inspected in detail, including those that are normally hidden or inaccessible during other inspections.

When is a Amusement Device Inspection (Amusement Ride Inspection) required?
The WHS Regulation requires a major inspection of an amusement device:
• before the end of any period for a major inspection recommended by the manufacturer of the device, or
• if a competent person who has previously completed an annual inspection or major inspection of the device recommends a shorter period than recommended by the manufacturer, the next major inspection is due by the period recommended by that competent person, or
• if there is no recommendation from the manufacturer or a competent person, the device is due for the next major inspection no later than 10 years after it was first commissioned or registered, whichever is earlier; and then no later than 10 years after its last major inspection.

While not specified in the WHS Regulation, Australian Standard AS 3533.2-2009 Amusement rides and devices Part 2: Operation and maintenance also requires a major inspection in the following circumstances:
• after a device has suffered a major departure from normal operation or a failure of any major structural or mechanical component [AS 3533.2-2009 Clause 5.4.4(d)]
• when a device is to be recommissioned and adequate records are unavailable or the device was designed and built to unknown standards. [AS 3533.2-2009 Clause 5.4.4(e)]

AS 3533 Amusement rides and devices is listed in Appendix C of the Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice as a technical standard which provides additional guidance for conducting major inspections.

Who is responsible for ensuring the Amusement Device Inspections (Amusement Device Inspection) is carried out?
The person with management or control of the amusement device at a workplace is responsible for ensuring the device has a major inspection.

The ‘person with management or control’ means the person conducting a business or undertaking that has management or control of the amusement device.

Generally, this is the owner of the amusement device.

Which amusement devices are required to have a major inspection?
Major inspections are required for:
• amusement devices which are required to have plant design registration or be item registered for operation in Queensland.

This includes amusement devices from interstate which come to Queensland to operate for specific periods (e.g. the show circuit). It also includes amusement devices requiring design or item registration at major amusement parks which have not yet been licensed under the WHS Regulation.

Who is a ‘competent person’ for supervising or carrying out the major inspection?
A competent person to supervise or carry out a major inspection of an amusement device is a registered professional engineer (RPEQ) who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to inspect this type of plant.

For inflatable devices with platform heights under nine metres, the person is not required to be an RPEQ but is competent if they have acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to inspect this type of plant.

What is a critical component?
Under the WHS Regulation, a critical component of an amusement device means a component of the device that would, if the component failed to function properly, be likely to cause a risk to health or safety of a person.

Critical components of an amusement device need to be documented so that details of specification, applicable standards to which they comply and a source of evidence that demonstrates compliance (i.e. test report, third party certificate/listing document) are readily available.