As summer rolls around, amusement parks are not the only places opening their doors for a season of thrill and fun.

With summer upon us, event organizers in schools, camps, townships, municipalities and shopping malls may be holding various events that involve amusement and inflatable devices like bouncy castles to draw crowds, raise funds or simply generate excitement.

Renting amusement and inflatable devices from licensed owners who drop off these devices on their customers’ premises can create safety gaps, such as failing to ensure these devices are installed properly and operated by trained attendants.  

Before renting inflatable devices, it’s important to be aware of the safety requirements you need to comply with and how to ensure the amusement and inflatable devices on your premises are operated safely. 

Photo Caption: Ontario Regulation 221/01 (Amusement Devices) does not apply if the rented amusement devices are operated in private dwellings (including the land upon which the private dwellings are situated) and used exclusively by the owner or occupants and their guests. Private events held in churches, schools and parks are not considered private dwellings. Amusement and inflatable devices that are not used in a private dwelling must comply with O. Reg 221/01.

As summer heats up, nothing is more thrilling than an exhilarating trip to an amusement park. Whether you're a roller coaster enthusiast, a go-kart driver, or a zip line adventurer, following safety guidelines is the best way to make your amusement park experience fun – and worry-free. 

Here are five ride smart tips to keep in mind for a safe summer at amusement parks:

1. Follow Age, Height, Weight, and Health Restrictions
Before hopping onto any ride, spend some time to read the posted age, height, weight, and health restrictions. Meeting the physical requirements for the ride's intensity will keep you safe. 

2. Observe All Posted Safety Rules
Each amusement ride has its own set of safety rules. Follow all instructions provided by ride operators and any recorded announcements or signs. These guidelines are meant to protect you, so always pay attention to them.

3. Secure Your Posture 
Keep your hands, arms, legs, and feet inside the ride or water slide at all times. Never stand when the ride is in motion and stay seated until told by a ride operator to exit. 

4. Use Safety Equipment Properly
Amusement parks provide various safety devices like seat belts and lap bars to keep you secure. Always use these safety devices as intended and never attempt to loosen or remove them while the ride is in motion. 

5. Avoid Using Phones on Rides
Avoid using cell phones on rides. Distractions like texting, answering calls, taking photos or videos could lead to accidents. Besides, phones can slip out of your hands or pockets, causing potential harm to yourself or other riders. Be sure to stow your phones safely, along with other loose items, including wallets, sunglasses, cell phones, and hats. 

Safety is essential for maximum amusement park fun. This summer, make sure you're the safety superhero for yourself and your family. Keep the excitement high and the worries low by adhering to safety measures on every ride.

TSSA hosted a virtual training for the inflatable industry on May 3, 2024. 

The training covered a gamut of topics that included incident reporting, inflatable design (ASTM requirements, flame tests for new devices, and evacuation), renewals (attestation and operational inspections), mechanic requirement, and training requirements for operators and events.

Click to view the presentation slides.

TSSA is hosting a virtual training for the inflatable industry on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Click the button below to join the training that will cover the following topics:  

1. Incident Reporting

2. Inflatable Design: 
       - ASTM Requirements
       - Flame tests - new devices
       - Evacuation      

3. Renewals: 
        -  Attestation
        - Operational Inspections

4. Mechanic Requirements

5. Training - Operators/Event Requirements

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), in partnership with the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), held the 22nd annual TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training from April 2 to 5, 2024.

More than 160 registrants received 16 hours of continuing education credits from NAARSO by attending the three-day forum, which was held in Oshawa, Ontario this year.

In-class and practical sessions covered a gamut of topics that included ride inspection and audit, rider accessibility, ride evacuation, maintenance records, standards and regulatory updates, welding best practices, electrical requirements, grounding and bonding, and more.

Regional Supervisor for Elevating and Amusement Devices (EDAD) Sonny Silva and EDAD Engineer Joelle Javier were the event organizers behind this successful training event. Silva and Javier also gave an update on TSSA regulations and standards.

Presenters included ride manufacturers, engineers, ride mechanics, theme park operations professionals and other regulators.

Other notable speakers included Alan Black, principal of adbForensics, Inc. Black delivered a keynote, “Bringing Aviation Insights to Amusement Rides” and shared his safety insights gained from a career in aerospace and 18 years as a Principal Engineer and Director for Walt Disney working on the advanced design of rides, show and stunt equipment for theme parks and resorts worldwide.

Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in the School of Occupational and Public Health, delivered an insightful session on accessibility and inclusive design in amusement rides from an accessibility rider’s point of view. Her area of expertise covers amusement rides and attractions, human-error and accident analysis, and safety inspection.

Dr. Woodcock underscored the importance of analyzing and documenting the rationale behind ride restrictions in ride manuals and operations and balancing safety, accessibility and inclusion to ensure that safety rules protect riders and do not exclude people with disabilities.

Other speakers at the training event included NAARSO’s John Riggleman who presented on rider eligibility and screening, and two speakers from Electrical Safety Authority — Gord Kelly and Keith Bartlett — who talked about the electrical process and industry practice.

TSSA’s Engineering Technologist Patrick McDermott’s presentation entitled "Electrical Schematics, Common Control Issues, Examples of Circuits” pointed to the importance of having good electrical schematics that would inform what to review and how the ride or device works.

The training event wrapped up with NAARSO level I and II exams on April 4, 2024.

“Providing the platform for amusement-ride professionals to receive 16 hours of continuing education credits from NAARSO is an important safety initiative to ensure that attendees have the updated expertise to operate safely in their jobs,” said AJ Kadirgamar, TSSA’s Director of Elevating and Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts Safety Program.

In-class and practical sessions covered a gamut of safety topics over the three-day training.