SECTION 380:55-9-3. General requirements

(a)   Blocking.

(1)   All rides shall be placed on a good, sound foundation.

(2)   Concrete, cinder, or other hollow blocks shall not be used.

(3)   Cribbing or crossing shall be required when more than two tiers high.

(4)   To keep certain rides from walking, tipping, etc., they shall be staked or sandbagged.

(b)   Carriers.

(1)   Carriers must be in good, serviceable condition.

(2)   Safety restraints (lap bars, safety belts, chains, gates, etc.) shall be installed where there is a possibility of passengers being ejected, falling out, or receiving other injuries.

(3)   Cushions and padding shall be in good condition and free of tacks, nails, screws, etc.

(4)   All carriers shall be individually identified by a number or alpha character.

(c)   Safety pins.

(1)   All pins, bolts, etc., when required, must be safety locked with appropriate "R" keys, cotter keys, spring keys, or any other type of locking device to keep the pins, bolts, etc. in its proper place.

(2)   All pins must be in place and of proper size and type.

(3)   Nails or similar devices not designed for the intended purpose shall not be used.

(4)   The pins and holes shall be reconditioned to the manufacturer's specifications when necessary.

(5)   Load carrying bolts and nuts shall be Industrial Fastener Institute Grade Five (5) or higher unless otherwise specified by the ride manufacturer, industry consensus, or common inspection practices.

(d)   Ride support (sweeps, chains, spokes, axles, shafts, etc. ).

(1)   Such support shall be free of cracks, defects, or rusty, corrosive areas.

(2)   Testing of critical areas by nondestructive examination, etc., may be necessary for the safety of a ride.

(3)   In those instances where the ride manufacturer requires periodic nondestructive examination, or when determined necessary by justifiable cause (i.e., cracks, bends, ride history, etc.), such examinations shall be performed at the owner's expense. The examinations shall be read by an American Society of Nondestructive Testing Level II qualified individual and the part or parts certified by him free of hazardous faults or defects. This certificate shall be filed with the Department of Labor before the ride is operated in this state.

(4)   Additional safety devices such as secondary cable supports, extra bracing, etc. may be required when the inspector determines that such device would enhance the safety of the ride.

(e)   Speed and overloading. Rides shall be operated within manufacturers' designed speed or RPM rating. Rides and individual carriers shall not be overloaded. As far as practical, ride loads shall be balanced.

(f)   Passenger restrictions. Manufacturers' restrictions to passengers as to height, weight, impaired, or other physical problems shall be complied with. The Commissioner of Labor may require more stringent restrictions.

(g)   Brakes, clutches, roll backs, safety trips, etc.

(1)   Brakes, clutches, roll backs, safety trips, etc. shall be in good working condition,

(2)   Lining and shoes shall be serviceable,

(3)   Roll back and safety trips shall be of correct strength and size to hold the load.

(h)   Guarding. Moving or hot parts (belts, chains, gears, shafts, knuckle joint, exhaust pipes, etc.) that may be injurious to the ride operator or the public, shall be effectively guarded to prevent contact.

(i)   Modifications/Alterations. Minor modifications or alterations may be approved if determined by an inspector that ride safety is not affected and an engineer's evaluation is not necessary. Major modifications or alterations and homemade rides may require the filing of an engineers evaluation with the Department of Labor.

(j)   Removable parts. Any removable part, which may, in the inspector's judgment, become dislodged during operation and thereby fall on a passenger or bystander, shall be safe-tied into position (i.e. fluorescent tubes, mirrors, other functional or decorative parts.)

(k)   Ride clearance and fencing.

(1)   All rides shall be fenced unless otherwise protected.

(2)   Fences shall be constructed to adequately protect the public from hazard.

(3)   Fences shall be placed so that a person cannot reach over the fence and make contact with the ride or passengers.

(4)   Rides shall be so placed as to provide adequate clearance between adjacent rides and structures.

(5)   Rides and other midway structures shall not be placed so as to create a hazard or obstruct fire, medical, or other rescue operations.

(l)   Wire Rope. Wire rope shall be inspected to ride manufactures' specifications when provided. Where the manufacture does not provide inspection specifications, wire rope shall be inspected to the applicable industry standard. Wire rope found to be damaged shall be replaced with new rope of proper design and capacity or repaired by proper splicing. Connecting ends of wire rope shall be properly clamped or fitted.

(m)   Other Inspections. Political subdivisions shall provide notice in writing to the Commissioner of Labor on or before February 1^st of each year requesting inspection authority. Such subdivisions shall provide evidence of ability to perform inspections. The Commissioner of Labor or designee shall review such requests and reveal his or her findings within thirty (30) days. The Commissioner or designee shall also provide thirty (30) days notice of revocation of such authority.

(n)   Exclusions. Excluded from this Chapter are school playground and public part rides such as swings, see-saw, sliding boards, climbing bars, etc. and small self-service type rides found in shopping centers.

[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 3083, eff 6-25-93; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2797, eff 7-25-02]