Safety Measures for Rides at Fun Fairs, Carnivals and Theme Parks
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the safety measures and enforcement frequency for amusement rides at fun fairs and theme parks, as raised by Ms Joan Pereira. Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong stated that rides are regulated under the Amusement Rides Safety Act, which mandates permits for installation and operation. The framework requires Specialist Professional Engineers to certify safety assessments and Ride Managers to oversee daily inspections and routine maintenance. All rides undergo annual inspections, with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) conducting regular spot checks, including approximately 300 inspections on 110 rides in 2015. Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong emphasized that the BCA enforces standards by suspending operations if safety issues are detected to ensure public safety.
Transcript
86 Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for National Development what measures are in place to ensure the safety of amusement rides, including those at fun fairs, carnivals and theme parks, and how often are safety enforcement and spot checks by qualified inspectors performed.
Mr Lawrence Wong: Amusement rides in Singapore are regulated under the Amusement Rides Safety Act administered by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Under this regulatory framework, permits are required for the installation, modification and operation of amusement rides. Regular maintenance and inspections are also required. This framework ensures that rides are designed, maintained and operated according to internationally recognised safety codes and standards.
For the installation of new rides and for major modifications to existing rides, a Qualified Person has to be appointed to review and certify the plans and safety assessments based on the technical codes. The Qualified Person must be a Specialist Professional Engineer registered with the Professional Engineers Board in the discipline of Amusement Rides Engineering.
The ride operator oversees the safety of ride operations. Among other requirements, the ride operator needs to appoint a Ride Manager to manage and supervise the daily operation and routine maintenance of the ride. For example, the Ride Manager needs to ensure a thorough inspection before opening the ride for public use each day and that only persons trained to operate the ride can do so.
In addition, amusement rides are required to undergo annual inspections and certifications by a Qualified Person. For major rides, the Qualified Person carrying out the inspection will need to be advised by a Conformity Assessor – a third-party technical expert in assessing amusement rides.
BCA also conducts inspections on the operation and maintenance of the rides. In 2015, BCA conducted about 300 inspections on the 110 rides in Singapore. If safety issues are detected, BCA will take enforcement action, such as suspending the operations.
We will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that our amusement rides are designed, maintained and operated according to prescribed safety standards. Ride users can also play a part in creating a safe and fun experience for themselves by adhering to the ride safety guidelines.