Ride Safety Division at Canfield Fair

The Ohio Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Division spends hours at the Canfield Fair checking that each ride is safe and operable. Each of the rides from Bates Amusement Inc. and Bates Brothers Amusement were inspected at the beginning of the year and checked again Tuesday on the grounds.

Kayleigh Frazier, Ohio Department of Agriculture spokeswoman, said the inspectors keep records for three years.

In that time, only one minor repair was needed for a ride at the Canfield Fair.

Eric Bates, owner of Bates Brothers Amusement, cited an industry statistic that 95 percent of ride accidents are caused by patrons.

In 1992, Ohio became one of the first states to implement a Rider Responsibility Law.

Ride operators or owners are required to display a sign that states, “Riders must obey all warnings and directions ... and behave in a manner that will not cause or contribute to injury.”

The Department of Agriculture suggests that riders keep hands and feet inside the ride; stay seated and hold on; obey ride-operator’s instructions; and observe age, weight and height restrictions.

Source: Ohio Department of Agriculture and Bates Brothers Amusement