Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Roy S. Dickinson, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Oklahoma and other States, amusement parks and amusement rides are subject to regulation and inspection by a division of State government. In Oklahoma, the Department of Labor is charged with the responsibility of inspecting and regulating amusement parks and amusement rides. The Oklahoma Amusement Ride Safety Laws are found under Chapter 40, Oklahoma Statutes, Section 460. It is important that amusement parks and owners / operators of amusement rides following the regulations set for in the Oklahoma Statutes. You can review these laws at Oklahoma Amusement Ride Safety Laws.
Pursuant to Section 461 – Definitions, an “Amusement Ride is defined as follows:
“Amusement ride” means a device or combination of devices or elements that carry, convey, or direct a person or persons over or through a fixed or restricted course or within a defined area for the primary purpose of amusement or entertainment. Amusement ride includes any amusement park device that uses treated water as the means of transportation, including the structure and water quality of the device.
The owner / operator of an Amusement Ride has a duty under Oklahoma Statutes to obtain a Certificate of Inspection from the State of Oklahoma – Department of Labor. In order to obtain such a Certificate, the ride must be inspected by the State of Oklahoma before it is put into use and thereafter at least once a year. In addition, a ride must be inspected each time that the ride is disassembled or reassembled.
A recent tragic accident was reported in Oklahoma involving the death of Jaylen Wolf – age 8 – when a barrel ride overturned that was being towed by an ATV. See Tragic Accident at Oklahoma Fairgrounds – Legal Rights and Responsibilities.
As part of the investigation into this matter, authorities will review the documents related to the Amusement Ride, compliance with State laws, and safety precautions in place or needed for a ride of this nature.