Amusement ride inspections taken seriously

The Ohio State Fair starts today and runs through Aug. 9. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except for the last day.

By MARC KOVAC

vindicator correspondent

COLUMBUS — There are more than 70 rides awaiting attendees at this year’s Ohio State Fair.

And when the gates open today, Ron Dean and his seven fellow inspectors will have checked each one, making sure they’re structurally sound and being operated safely.

“We’ve actually had inspectors out here since last Sunday trying to look at this stuff as it comes in on trailers,”

Dean told reporters Monday as ride operators continued their setup at the state fairgrounds. “It’s easier to look at a lot of stuff before they’re set up. There’s parts that we wouldn’t be able to see normally.”

Ohio is one of three states that have a full-time, year-round ride safety division. Inspectors check and license rides at permanent parks, such as Cedar Point and Kings Island, plus portable rides that appear at county fairs.

According to the Department of Agriculture, there are 3,071 licensed rides in the state operated at 280 permanent amusement facilities, plus 24 water parks and 33 go-kart tracks.

Inspectors make sure rides conform to manufacturers’ operating standards with no cracks or excessive wear and motors and belts and cables in working order. Hydraulic systems and latches and restraints must be operating properly. And seat belts, harnesses and shoulder holders must be tested and retested.

If they don’t past muster, rides are shut down. But that doesn’t happen too often, Dean said.

“I can say it does happen, but there again, we are in touch with the manufacturers...,” he said. “We’re not here to shut them down, but if it’s not safe, then we have no choice. If a ride isn’t safe, it can’t run.”

Inspectors also check game concessions to ensure they’re not rigged against fair goers. “We’re just making sure that everybody has a shot to win a prize,” Dean said.

The Ohio State Fair opens today and runs daily through Aug. 9. Hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (except on the last day, when the closing time is 8 p.m.). Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children age 5-12 and seniors age 60 or older. Children younger than 5 are admitted for free.