Millions of Pennsylvanian families wait in line for water slides, roller coasters, and spinning carnival rides every summer, rarely considering what transpired before the gates opened. That’s probably how things ought to be. However, there is a regulatory system that has been quietly operating—and occasionally quietly struggling—for decades behind the happy din of amusement parks.
Most people are still surprised to learn that Pennsylvania’s amusement ride safety program is run by the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Amusement Rides and Attractions. In fact, the agricultural connection dates back to a time when state fairs featured amusement rides where showmen provided entertainment and farmers displayed livestock. Since the state started formally inspecting and registering rides under the Amusement Ride Safety Act in 1984, this legacy has shaped a regulatory framework that has persisted.
The division is in charge of a sizable amount of territory. Every year, the state registers about 10,000 distinct attractions and over 800 ride owners. Each one follows a set procedure: the Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board, a panel made up of professionals in the field, concerned citizens, and a certified engineer, evaluates new rides. The board recommends whether a ride is appropriate to operate in Pennsylvania during its quarterly meetings. Following approval, owners are required to register with the department, submit itineraries for planned events, and submit inspection affidavits prior to the opening of each ride. This process is repeated every 30 days or whenever a ride is relocated, whichever occurs first.
Most people would be surprised to learn how many people work in inspection. Overseen by department quality assurance personnel, more than 1,400 licensed qualified inspectors work throughout the state. Obtaining a license is not easy; in order to keep their credentials, applicants must pass a written, proctored exam, document their training and experience, and complete continuing education hours. Compared to many states, this system is more structured.
However, in practice, structure on paper doesn’t always translate flawlessly. Over half of Pennsylvania’s permanent amusement and water parks had missing inspection records, according to a 2013 investigation by the Department of Agriculture. This led to a legislative hearing, and by the beginning of 2014, the department had established a website that was accessible to the public so that people could review recent inspection records prior to visiting a park. The solution was helpful, but it did so after public pressure rather than before, which is a noteworthy trend.
Some context is provided by the larger national picture. Federal regulations do not apply to fixed-site amusement rides, such as those found in well-known theme parks. In 1981, Congress eliminated the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s jurisdiction over permanent park rides, a move that some have dubbed the “roller coaster loophole.” There is absolutely no oversight of amusement rides in six states. Pennsylvania, one of about 20 states that mandate routine government-agency inspections and give officials the authority to look into accidents, is thought to have a comprehensive program.
The industry mainly relies on voluntary guidelines from ASTM International, which publishes performance and maintenance standards that about 35 states cite in their regulations, for standardization across parks and state lines. Although voluntary guidance is only as strong as the will to follow it, Pennsylvania’s framework also draws from these standards.
Observing the evolution of this system gives the impression that significant advancements typically come about in a reactive rather than a proactive manner. The missing-records controversy led to the creation of the public database. Following a child’s death on a water slide, Kansas revised its inspection regulations. Although Pennsylvania has mostly avoided those worst-case scenarios, it is important to consider whether the current drive for standardization represents true institutional momentum or just another round of course correction following a covert mishap.
It’s fairly simple what riders can do in the interim. When you board a ride, look for a registration plate. If something seems strange, ask to see the most recent inspection records; operators must have them available. Additionally, the state’s ridesafe.pa.gov portal displays upcoming amusement events and inspection activity in real time for those who wish to delve deeper.
The fact that most of the inspectors performing the actual work go unnoticed is probably an indication that things are going fairly well. The most important times are usually when they become apparent.
