On safety of amusement rides

The technical regulations of the Eurasian economic Union" on the safety of rides " establish safety requirements for mobile and stationary rides. It applies to Ferris wheels, catapults, swings, go-karts, inflatable trampolines, slides, electric cars, water rides and a lot of other entertainment mechanisms where there is a risk of injury if basic safety rules are not followed.

Tens of thousands of rides operate in the countries of the Union, millions of citizens are users, and, unfortunately, these devices do not always bring only joy. About 85% of accidents occur as a result of incorrect installation or operation of mechanisms. One of the advantages of the technical regulations is that it is a comprehensive document, which was not previously available in any country of the Union. Before that, there were different requirements everywhere, which were contained in various acts: some had departmental rules, some had standards. In one document, we combined both structural, operational, and other safety requirements, setting them for all stages of the life cycle of attractions. The regulations classified rides of the EEU countries by types and types. All devices are divided into eight types: mechanized, including translational movement (including the use of water), rotational and complex movement, racing tracks and karts, inflatable, non-motorized water, non-motorized and rides for children. For example, rolling hills, free-fall towers, Park trains on rails, catapults, and others are considered to be mechanized attractions of forward movement. To power translational movement of a Ferris wheel, swings, the carousel. Among other novelties-classification by degrees of potential biomechanical risks associated with the height of the ride, speed, angle of inclination of seats. There are four such degrees: from RV-1 to RV-4. The RV-1 group with potentially the highest risks will include rides where the height of people's ascent exceeds eight meters, and the speed of movement is 20 m/s. Having studied the causes and consequences of accidents, the developers believe that it is on such attractions that a real threat to life occurs if safety requirements are not met. The safest rides will be included in the RV-4 group-with "a negligible degree of potential biomechanical risk". The technical regulations do not apply to such rides. As well as for rides that started operating before it came into force. The possibility and conditions of operation of old attractions will be determined by national legislation. Amusement ride manufacturers should not deviate from the design documentation, using only the materials that it provides. The document requires manufacturers to pay special attention to" critical " components - parts of structures, nodes and details, the failure of which can lead to tragic consequences. When installing, you should take into account the characteristics of the ground and platform, the impact of temperature and wind, it is necessary to ensure safe entry and exit, and a sufficient distance between the rides. Users should be protected from moving parts and parts of rides by reliable protective partitions. Ride management systems should prevent the resumption of any dangerous situations - both for people and for the environment. Before entering the attraction, there must be a stand with information about the rules of use and restrictions. For example, biomechanical effects are not always useful for people with poor health. Therefore, visitors should be aware of the extreme nature of entertainment. Where there are restrictions on height and weight, you should install height meters and scales. All entertainment facilities should be provided with an alarm system, so that it is possible to quickly warn of a failure in the mechanism. In addition, rides must be equipped with first aid kits with medicines for first aid. Separately, the technical regulations prescribe safety requirements for children's rides. Designers and manufacturers must take into account additional risks associated with the age characteristics of children: physiological, psychological, and anthropometric. For example, it is unacceptable to leave holes in entertainment devices, especially in their moving parts, where a child can easily put an arm, leg, or a foreign object. In all potentially dangerous places, rides must be provided with railings and fences. Compliance with the requirements of the technical regulations of the EEU also includes the need for owners to check the technical condition of rides on a daily basis, reflect it in the work log, and constantly conduct preventive maintenance, including not only lubrication, adjustment, but also specialized flaw detection. New rides will begin to pass certification, daily inspection and annual technical inspection. Safe devices will receive a special marking in the form of the emblem of the Eurasian economic Union in Latin-EAC.​

 

Kuralai Kirgabekova - head of the Department Of the Committee of technical regulation and Metrology for Zhambyl region