ALBANY - The State Senate passed a measure that will help provide the public with more information about amusement parks, carnivals or county fairs so that they can make informed safety decisions. The bill ( S.5868A), sponsored by Senator Pat Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) requires the state and amusement operators to post valuable safety information online and at a ride’s location.
“When families visit amusement parks, carnivals or county fairs, they essentially put their lives into the hands of the park operator, who they must trust to be safe, responsible, and law-abiding,” Senator Gallivan said. “This legislation increases the accessibility to safety records and gives consumers the tools and information to make that determination for themselves.”
“This is another common-sense measure to allow greater public access to important records,” Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said.
The state Department of Labor (DOL) is responsible for the licensing and inspection of all amusement devices and attractions operating in New York. The agency maintains an impressive record in protecting county fair, amusement park and carnival visitors here in New York, and, with 1.7 billion visitors nationally in 2010 alone, the amusement industry has also compiled an overwhelmingly positive safety record.
In recent years and after inquiries into public disclosure by Senator Gallivan, some information about ride and amusement operations has begun to be posted online by DOL to allow public review. However, this safety information is limited in scope. This bill addresses the need to update, clarify and make available more of the information used to determine a rides fitness for public use.
This legislation directs DOL to make consumer-relevant safety and licensing information available through a publicly accessible website and requires posting of the web address on signs at the carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks.
The information to be posted online, already routinely compiled by DOL, would include: the date of application submission; approval criteria; full text of visiting inspector’s report; issued fines or violations after permit issuance; proof of violation redress; history of reported accidents or injuries as reported by DOL; and the full text of any safety investigations. Confidential or proprietary information would be excluded.
The bill will be sent to the Assembly.
Other Carnival & Fair News
-
3/27/2024
Durant Amusements Honored with Award from the Greater Ohio Showmen's Association -
3/25/2024
Fine Fruit Despite Foul Weather at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair -
3/22/2024
Blue Sky Amusements: A Family Business Thriving with Local Events -
3/20/2024
Inclusivity & Universal Accessibility: Sensory-Friendly Days & Spaces Fast Growing Industry Trend -
3/18/2024
Optimistic & Proactive, Illinois Fairs Ready to "Do More in 2024" -
3/14/2024
Wisdom Rides of America Addresses Production Delays; Company to Introduce 4 new Rides this Fall -
3/11/2024
H-2B Visa Cap Met for April 1, 2024 Start Dates -
3/11/2024
Small Events Add Up To Lots of Fun with Midway West Amusements
Amusement Park News
-
3/22/2024
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco Texas is Breaking Ground -
3/15/2024
S&S Worldwide Offers A New Single-Rail Coaster -
3/14/2024
Wisdom Rides of America Addresses Production Delays; Company to Introduce 4 new Rides this Fall -
2/29/2024
Legoland California Unveils New Galaxy Space Land -
2/23/2024
New Indoor Waterpark Coming to Frankenmuth, Michigan -
2/21/2024
2024 Gibtown Trade Show Closes with Plenty of Sales from US & Foreign Ride Manufacturers -
2/21/2024
Notable attractions industry experts to speak at IAAPA Honors 2024 -
2/19/2024
Ride Manufacturers Report Brisk Sales on Final Day of Gibtown Show