Amusement Rides & Attractions
The Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture’s Division of Amusement Rides and Attractions
registers more than 800 amusement ride owners and 10,000 individual amusement
rides and attractions annually. The
registered rides and attractions are enjoyed by millions of people each year
across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s
amusement ride safety program is designed to ensure that all rides in the state
meet stringent safety requirements. The process starts with the Amusement Ride
Safety Advisory Board, which is made up of a panel of industry experts,
concerned citizens, and one certified engineer. The board meets
quarterly to reviews all new rides and attractions applying to operate in
Pennsylvania. The board make recommendations to the department concerning the
ride and it suitability to operate in Pennsylvania.
Once a ride or
attraction is approved to operate in Pennsylvania, the owner and rides are
required to be register with the department. Owners are required to submit
itineraries detailing scheduled events where amusement rides will be (usually
within 15 days of the event). Owners are
also required to submit inspection affidavits (attesting a passing inspection
was performed) for each ride prior to its operation and again every 30 days or
each time it is set up at a new location (whichever is sooner).
Rides and attractions
are inspected by department licensed qualified inspectors. The pool of more
than 1,400 inspectors are overseen by the department’s Quality Assurance
Inspectors and Supervisor. Applicants for licensure as a qualified
inspector must provide a description of the education, training or experience
with respect to the safe operation and dismantling of amusement rides. An
applicant must pass a written, proctored test and must take a number of
department approved continuing education hours to maintain licensure (the
number of hours of continuing education vary by level of licensure).
The Department of
Agriculture has inspected and registered amusement rides under the Amusement
Ride Safety Act since 1984 and regularly participates in education and outreach
seminars that include classes and hands-on demonstrations.
For the public to search current (scheduled within the next 72 hours) amusement events: http://www.ridesafe.pa.gov/
For registered owners and licensed qualified
inspectors: Amusement Rides Inspection System
Contact
Publications
Amusement Ride Operator and Attendant Manual (PDF)
Amusement Ride Safety Flyer (PDF)
Certified Inspector Study Material (PDF)
Extreme Sport Study Material (PDF)
Go Kart Study Material (PDF)
Hayride Attractions
Inflatable Study Material (PDF)
PA Certified Ride Inspector Test Info (PDF)
Walk Through Study Material (PDF)
Forms
Amusement Rides and Attractions - New Owners Registration Form (PDF)
Amusement Rides and Attractions New Equipment Form (PDF)
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