More than 160 attendees from across the amusement ride industry gathered in Vaughan, Ontario for the Amusement Ride Safety Seminar held from March 25-27, 2025.

Hosted by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) in collaboration with the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), the annual event brought together industry experts, regulators, professionals from Canada's Wonderland, manufacturers and third-party engineers for three days of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and hands-on training.

Participants earned 16 hours of continuing education credits while gaining valuable insights from industry leaders through both In-class and practical sessions. Topics covered ranged from ride inspection and auditing to incident investigation, evacuation, industry best practices, and Electrical Safety Authority training.

A key highlight was a field trip to Canada’s Wonderland where participants received a behind-the-scenes look at the park's safety practices, upcoming attraction and the latest technology used in the amusement park.  

Event organizers Sonny Silva, Regional Supervisor for Elevating and Amusement Devices (EDAD), and Joelle Javier, EDAD Manager, gave an update on TSSA and ASTM regulations and standards.

Deep Dives into Specialized Topics

Andy Benko, Quality Assessment Specialist with TSSA’s Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPV) Program, presented on BPVs in amusement rides. He emphasized the responsibility of amusement ride owners and operators to ensure that BPVs regulated under Ontario Regulation 220/01 are registered, inspected and maintained in safe operating condition.

Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in the School of Occupational and Public Health, delivered a presentation on device control interfaces in amusement rides. She highlighted the importance of designing operator controls that are within easy reach not just for comfort, but also for speed, accuracy of response and to avoid unintentional activation.

Dr. Woodcock said a task group is updating ASTM F2291-24’s clause 17 on ‘Operator Controls’ to provide more guidance on good interface design. The scope will apply to all user interfaces with safety implications, including riders, attendants and mechanics. “We want to make sure everyone understands what we mean by the principles we refer to in the standard,’ she said.

“Ideal controls will leave the user no uncertainty as to what will happen to the system when a particular control is moved a certain way,” Dr. Woodcock notes. “Meaningful displays will be user-centered, supporting accurate intuitive interpretation or the current state. Interfaces should be easy to use because the operators will do their tasks more accurately and faster.”

Devan Devalia, application engineer with SKF Group, presented on the bearings used in amusement rides and shared maintenance tips to optimize their performance and lifespan.

Other industry experts at the event include Cindy Sypher, Chair of TSSA’s Amusement Devices Industry Advisory Council; Vince Conforzi, Building/Plumbing Inspector at the City of Vaughan; and Jason Gordon, Director of Operations at Cobalt Safety East. They discussed building, fire and occupational health and safety in amusement buildings such as escape rooms, which are designed to disorient people or have reduced lighting and can make it challenging for people to find their way out in an emergency.

Concluding the seminar was a presentation by Chris Clarke, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Amusement Operators. Clarke’s presentation highlighted practical field issues with amusement rides and illustrated with before-and-after examples.

The session wrapped up with a final exam for some members who were sitting for certification.

The next seminar will take place in spring 2026. TSSA looks forward to continuing to strengthen safety, spark innovation, and support excellence across the amusement ride industry. Stay tuned.

Applications submitted after February 1, 2025, without mandatory documents will not be processed

To enhance the efficiency of processing design registrations for Elevating & Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts (EDAD Ski), design registrations submitted after February 1, 2025, without mandatory documents will not be processed.

TSSA reviews designs for EDAD Ski to ensure compliance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act and any other applicable regulations or adopted safety codes and standards. 

Submitting mandatory documents along with the application is critical to ensure the timely processing of design registrations. Please ensure that mandatory documents are complete.

Click the button below for a list of mandatory documents for EDAD Ski design registrations.

EDAD Ski Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Continuing education for NAARSO-certified inspectors - in-class and hands-on training

Register now for the 23rd annual TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training. Over the three-day forum, attendees will receive 16 hours of continuing education credits (CEU) from the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO).    
 
When: March 25  – 28, 2025 (Tues - Fri)
Where:  Springhill Suites Vaughan, 612 Applewood Crescent  
Registration deadline: Friday March 14, 2025   
 
Topics covered in class and practical sessions:

• Ride inspection and audit       
• Incident investigation
• Industry Best Practices
• Inspection Practice    
• Evacuation
• ESA Training
• TSSA Update
• ASTM 2783 Requirements
• Hands-on training at Canada’s Wonderland   
   

Practical Training:

• Ride inspection
• Evacuation
• Logbooks

• ASTM Requirements   

Registration includes:

• March 25 Reception
• March 26 (Breakfast Lunch, Dinner; 8 hours in class)
• March 27 (Breakfast and Lunch; 4 hours in class, 4 hours practical)

• March 28 (NAARSO level I and II Exams - Optional)

Register Now
 
Hotel Booking

Deadline Monday, September 30, 2024 

Notice: Parties having an interest and expertise in the Amusement Devices industry

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) actively solicits the advice and input of key stakeholders from the respective industries that it regulates through several industry specific advisory councils. The advisory councils are invited to work with TSSA in support of safety initiatives and general enhancements in service delivery within their respective industries.

The Amusement Devices Advisory Council was established to provide a forum through which TSSA can consult with industry relative to its safety strategies and receive valuable input and advice to help guide TSSA’s decision making and operations. This structure provides:

• a communication channel through which their safety concerns can be voiced
• a means to support and advise TSSA with respect to continuous improvement of its services
• a valuable resource through which to solicit industry input and advice; anda mechanism to facilitate communication back to industry at large.

The Amusement Devices Advisory Council is seeking the following nominations to represent this stakeholder group:

• An owner/operator of Camps
• Insurance

Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Amusement Devices Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings:

If you are interested in nominating an individual as Council Member, please submit his/her letter of interest or nomination together with the individual’s resume by Sep 30, 2024, to:

Iuliana Afanase
Stakeholder Outreach Advisor
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org