This section establishes the official name for the regulations concerning the safety of amusement rides, calling it the Amusement Rides Safety Law.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the Amusement Rides Safety Law.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
This section defines key terms related to amusement rides in California. An "amusement ride" is a mechanical device meant to entertain or thrill passengers. It includes operations like bungee jumping but not playground equipment or simple coin-operated devices. Certain permanent devices are also excluded, and the division decides which specific devices qualify as amusement rides.
An "operator" or "owner" is anyone responsible for the operation of these rides and can include state agencies or public corporations. A "permit" is a document indicating a ride has been inspected following rules set by the division.
As used in this part:
(a)CA Labor Code § 7901(a) “Amusement ride” means a mechanical device which carries or conveys passengers along, around, or over a fixed or restricted route or course for the purpose of giving its passengers amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement. “Amusement ride” includes the business of operating bungee jumping services or providing services to facilitate bungee jumping, but does not include slides, playground equipment, coin-operated devices or conveyances which operate directly on the ground or on the surface or pavement directly on the ground or the operation of amusement devices of a permanent nature. The division shall determine the specific devices which are amusement rides for the purposes of this part. This determination shall be made to apply equally to all operators of similar or identical rides and shall be made pursuant to a procedure promulgated by the standards board.
(b)CA Labor Code § 7901(b) “Operator” or “owner” means a person who owns or controls or has the duty to control the operation of an amusement ride. It includes the state and every state agency, and each county, city, district, and all public and quasi-public corporations and public agencies therein.
(c)CA Labor Code § 7901(c) “Permit” means a document issued by the division which indicates that an inspection of the ride has been performed pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the division.
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(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 520, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)
This law makes sure that there are rules in place to keep amusement rides safe for people. It requires the creation of guidelines about how these rides should be installed, maintained, repaired, used, operated, and inspected. The focus is on various safety aspects like engineering, stress points, and maintenance. The existing safety rules are supplemented, not replaced, and the authorities can still create and enforce other safety measures as needed.
The division shall promulgate and formulate rules and regulations for adoption by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for the safe installation, repair, maintenance, use, operation, and inspection of all amusement rides as the division finds necessary for the protection of the general public using amusement rides. The rules and regulations shall be in addition to the existing applicable safety orders and will be concerned with engineering force stresses, safety devices, and preventative maintenance. Nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of the division to prescribe or enforce general or special safety orders.
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(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 705, Sec. 2.)
This law states that before an amusement ride can be given its first official safety inspection certificate, a qualified engineer must confirm in writing that the ride meets safety requirements.
The division or a public entity shall not issue the original certificate of inspection for an amusement ride until it receives certification in writing by an engineer qualified under the Civil and Professional Engineers Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code) that such amusement ride meets the requirements established by the division for amusement rides.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
This law section outlines that the division will set and collect fees to cover the cost of managing services related to amusement rides, such as approvals, permits, inspections, and certifications. The fees include both direct costs and some indirect costs, and all collected funds go to support the inspection program for portable amusement rides.
It states that the fee regulations for the 2016-17 fiscal year must be established as emergency regulations, which will take effect immediately without needing approval from the Office of Administrative Law.
Additionally, the division is required to annually publish a report on its website detailing inspections and accidents involving amusement rides.
(a)CA Labor Code § 7904(a) The division shall fix and collect all fees necessary to cover the cost of administering this part. Fees shall be charged to a person or entity receiving the division’s services as provided by this part, as set out in regulations adopted pursuant to this part, including, but not limited to, approvals, determinations, permits, investigations, inspections and reinspections, certifications and recertifications, receipt and review of certificates, and reports and inspections. In fixing the amount of these fees, the division may include direct costs and a reasonable percentage attributable to the indirect costs of the division for administering this part. All fees collected by the division under this section shall be deposited into the Occupational
Safety and Health Fund to support the division’s portable amusement ride inspection program.
(b)CA Labor Code § 7904(b) Any fees required pursuant to this section shall be set forth in regulations. For the 2016–17 fiscal year, those regulations shall be adopted as emergency regulations. These emergency regulations shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Office of Administrative Law pursuant to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act provided for in Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. These emergency regulations shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
(c)CA Labor Code § 7904(c) The division shall annually prepare and post on its Internet Web site a report summarizing all inspections of amusement rides and accidents occurring on amusement rides. This report may contain route location
information submitted to the division by permit applicants.
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(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 223. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)
This law allows a specific division to hire safety inspectors to examine amusement rides. These inspections can be carried out by the division's own safety inspectors or by qualified inspectors approved by the division, who work for either an insurance company or a public organization.
The division may hire inspectors to inspect amusement rides. The division shall cause the inspection provided by this part to be made by its safety inspectors, or by a qualified inspector who is approved by the division and employed by an insurance company or a public entity.
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(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 705, Sec. 5.)
If you want to operate an amusement ride, you need a permit from the proper authorities. You have to apply for this permit by March 1 every year using the official form and provide details like the ride's planned route and dates it will be in each location. You can update your route, but you need to inform the authorities before operating in a new spot.
Also, all amusement rides must be inspected before they're used by the public and at least once a year after that, unless they're running on a temporary permit. Rides should also be checked whenever they're taken apart and put back together.
No person shall operate an amusement ride without a permit issued by the division or a public entity. On or before March 1 of each year an operator shall apply for a permit to the division or a public entity on a form furnished by the division and containing such information as the division may require. Each application shall specifically include a route list for the ride for the permit year, which shall include the name of each town or city, street location, and dates of operation of the ride at each location. A route list may be revised at any time, but a ride may not be operated at a particular location unless notification of the revision has been given previously to the division or public entity issuing the permit.
All amusement rides shall be inspected before they are originally put into operation for the public’s use and thereafter at least once every year, unless authorized to operate on a temporary permit. Amusement rides may also be inspected each time they are disassembled and reassembled.
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(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 705, Sec. 6.)
If an amusement ride passes inspection and meets all safety standards, a permit to operate will be issued by the relevant division or public entity.
If, after inspection, an amusement ride is found to comply with the rules and regulations of the division, the division or a public entity shall issue a permit to operate.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
If you're planning to set up a new amusement ride, or if you're making changes to an existing ride that affect its structure, how it works, its type, or how many people it can hold, you need to inform the relevant authorities. This involves submitting a notice and any necessary plans or diagrams to the division or a public entity before you go ahead with the changes.
Before a new amusement ride is erected, or whenever any additions or alterations are made which change the structure, mechanism, classification, or capacity of any amusement ride, the operator shall file with the division or a public entity a notice of his intention and any plans or diagrams requested by the division.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
If an amusement ride is found to be dangerous or unsafe during an inspection, the authorities can stop its operation and take away its operating permit.
The ride can't start running again until the problems are fixed and approved by the authorities.
The division may order cessation of operation of an amusement ride and permit revocation if it has been determined after inspection to be hazardous or unsafe. Operation shall not resume until such conditions are corrected to the satisfaction of the division
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(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 705, Sec. 7.)
This law section means that if an installation has already been set up and, upon inspection, is found to be safe and meets the division's rules and regulations, it can continue to be used.
This part shall not be construed to prevent the use of any existing installation which upon inspection is found to be in a safe condition and in conformance with the rules and regulations of the division.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
This law explains that if following safety regulations causes significant problems or hardships for an operator, they can request changes to those rules. The division in charge can allow these changes as long as safety and the essence of the rules are maintained. The operator must make their request in writing, detailing their issues. If the division grants a change, it is documented in writing with specific conditions. All changes are recorded and available to the public.
If there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships for an operator to comply with the rules and regulations under this part, the division may modify the application of such rules or regulations if the spirit of the rules and regulations shall be observed and the public safety is secure. Any operator may make a written request to the division stating his grounds and applying for such modification. Any authorization by the division shall be in writing and shall describe the conditions under which the modifications are permitted. A record of all modifications shall be kept in the division and open to the public.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
This law states that no one can operate an amusement ride unless they have an insurance policy filed with the state. The insurance must cover at least $500,000 per accident until January 1, 2009. After that date, it must cover at least $1,000,000 per accident. The policy must protect the ride owner or operator against any injuries to riders.
No person shall operate an amusement ride unless there is in existence and on file with the division a policy of insurance, issued by a company licensed by the Department of Insurance to do business in the state, or by a nonadmitted insurer employed by a surplus lines broker licensed by the Department of Insurance, in an amount of not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) until January 1, 2009, and, effective on and after January 1, 2009, one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence insuring the owner or operator against liability for injury suffered by persons riding the amusement ride.
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(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2008.)
This law allows cities and counties to create their own rules for carnivals and amusement rides, even if those rules are stricter than state regulations.
Nothing contained in this part shall prevent cities, counties, and cities and counties from regulating carnivals or amusement rides, nor prevent them from enacting legislation more restrictive than this part with respect to carnivals or amusement rides.
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(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 1113.)
If you're in charge of running an amusement ride, you must immediately call and report any serious incidents. This includes any incidents that lead to death, serious injuries requiring more than basic first aid, major mechanical failures affecting safety, or situations where a rider falls from a moving or temporarily stopped ride. After notifying by phone, you also have to submit a written report within 24 hours. If such events happen, the equipment involved must be saved for investigation. Additionally, inspectors can check rides after such incidents are reported, and emergency agencies must notify the division if they respond to serious incidents involving rides.
(a)CA Labor Code § 7914(a) An operator of an amusement ride shall report or cause to be reported to the division immediately by telephone each known incident where the maintenance, operation, or use of the amusement ride results in any of the following:
(1)CA Labor Code § 7914(a)(1) A fatality.
(2)CA Labor Code § 7914(a)(2) A loss of consciousness or other injury to a person which requires medical service other than ordinary first aid treatment.
(3)CA Labor Code § 7914(a)(3) Major mechanical failure. For purposes of this section, “major mechanical failure” means the stoppage of operation resulting from or in a structural failure, a mechanical or electrical failure of a drive or control system component, or a failure of a restraint system that significantly compromises ride safety. “Major mechanical failure” does not include a foreseeable malfunction that activates a safety system.
(4)CA Labor Code § 7914(a)(4) A patron falling from a moving ride or from a ride that has temporarily stopped in an elevated position.
(b)CA Labor Code § 7914(b) If a fatality, reportable injury, or major mechanical failure, as defined in subdivision (a),is caused by the failure, malfunction, or operation of an amusement ride, the equipment or conditions that caused the accident shall be preserved for the purpose of investigation by the division.
(c)CA Labor Code § 7914(c) In addition to the report by telephone required under subdivision (a), an operator of an amusement ride shall submit a written accident report to the division within 24 hours of an incident on a form designated by the division.
(d)CA Labor Code § 7914(d) A division inspector may inspect an amusement ride upon receipt of the report of an incident.
(e)CA Labor Code § 7914(e) Whenever a state, county, or local fire or police agency is called to an accident involving an amusement ride covered by this part in which a serious injury or illness, or death occurs, the nearest office of the division shall be notified by telephone immediately by the responding agency.
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(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
If you own or operate an amusement ride and don't follow the rules or safety orders, you're committing a misdemeanor. If you don't pay a required fee within 60 days, you'll owe double the fee as a penalty. You won't get a permit until you pay any overdue fees.
(a)CA Labor Code § 7915(a) Any owner or operator of any amusement ride who fails to comply with any provision of this part or any rule, regulation, or safety order adopted pursuant to this part shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b)CA Labor Code § 7915(b) Whenever an owner or operator of any amusement ride fails to pay any fee required under Section 7904 within 60 days after notification, the owner or operator shall pay, in addition to the fee required, a penalty fee equal to 100 percent of the required fee. For purposes of this section, the date of the invoice shall be considered the date of notification.
(c)CA Labor Code § 7915(c) The division shall not issue any permit to any owner or operator of any amusement ride who fails to pay any fee until the fee is paid.
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(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2008.)
This law mandates that owners of amusement rides in California must train their employees to safely operate and maintain the rides according to specific safety standards (ASTM F770-06) and an injury prevention program. These standards are set by the American Society for Testing and Materials and must be updated as necessary.
Additionally, amusement ride owners are required to keep detailed records of employee training, as well as maintenance, repair, inspection, and any injury incidents related to each ride. Starting January 1, 2009, these records must be made available to inspectors upon request to ensure compliance.
(a)CA Labor Code § 7916(a) An owner of an amusement ride shall provide training for its employees in the safe operation and maintenance of amusement rides, as required by Sections 4, 6, 7, and 8 of ASTM F770-06, Standard Practice for Ownership and Operation of Amusement Rides and Devices, adopted by the American Society for Testing and Materials, as amended or as may be amended from time to time and as the division deems appropriate, and the injury prevention program required under Section 6401.7.
(b)CA Labor Code § 7916(b) The owner of an amusement ride shall maintain all of the records necessary to demonstrate that the requirements of subdivision (a) have been met, including employee training records and maintenance, repair, inspection, and injury and illness records for each amusement ride, as specified in ASTM F770-06 referenced in subdivision (a). On and after January 1, 2009, the owner of an amusement ride shall make the records available to a division inspector upon request.
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(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2008.)
If an amusement ride owner or operator intentionally breaks safety laws or regulations, leading to a death or serious injury, they must pay a fine between $5,000 and $25,000.
If the division determines that an owner or operator of an amusement ride subject to this part has willfully or intentionally violated this part or a rule or regulation promulgated under this part, and that the violation resulted in a death or reportable injury as specified in Section 7914, the division shall impose on that owner or operator a civil penalty of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
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(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2008.)
This law states that if a workplace safety issue is found, the responsible agency can issue a citation and a fine. The process for this is similar to what is described in another law (Section 6317). If the person or business that received the citation disagrees with it, they can challenge it by appealing to the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, following the process in Section 6319.
The division shall enforce this part by the issuance of a citation and notice of civil penalty in a manner consistent with that specified in Section 6317 or in some other manner as deemed appropriate by the division. An owner or operator who receives a citation and penalty may appeal the citation and penalty to the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board in a manner consistent with that specified in Section 6319.
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(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2008.)
This law section requires the division to create rules and regulations to effectively manage this part of the law. It specifically mentions that these rules should cover the reporting requirements outlined in a different section, 7914.
The division shall adopt rules and regulations necessary for the administration of this part, including, the reporting requirements established under Section 7914.
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(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 478, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2008.)