October 7, 2016
Province Developing Modernized Regulations for Amusement Rides
– – –New Aligned Safety Standards will Reduce Red Tape for Industry: Cullen
Manitoba is developing updated regulations to support the amusement ride industry and to ensure the safety of all Manitobans enjoying the various types of amusement rides across the province, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen, minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, announced today.
“Amusement park rides and similar entertainment should always be a safe and fun option for Manitobans,” Cullen said. “When it comes to our safety, we need to look at continuing to modernize regulations and align our standards with other jurisdictions. Manitoba will be able to limit unnecessary red tape on our amusement ride industry by harmonizing with other provinces. The new proposed standards and system of inspections will help minimize the chance of accidents or injury from faulty equipment.”
The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) has prepared a discussion paper on the various changes and improvements that are proposed. Among the changes being considered are the adoption of up-to-date amusement ride safety standards and establishing safety standards for zip lines and larger waterslides. In addition, the proposed regulations would formalize the requirement for annual operating permits for all amusement devices, as well as operating and installation permits for water slides and zip lines.
Examples of devices that are included within the scope of this regulatory review include:
- mechanical rides, ferris wheels, roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, bumper boats and cars;
- go-karts;
- zip lines and cable wakeboarding systems; and
- larger waterslides.
The development of these regulations and public consultation is part of a larger review being undertaken under the new technical safety act, which will replace legislation governing six separate types of equipment including elevators, amusement rides, gas and oil burning equipment, electrical equipment, boilers and pressure vessels.
Industry representatives have been consulted about the overall changes and now the province seeks input from the public as it moves forward with the work of updating and improving the regulations that accompany the legislation.
The full discussion paper is available on the OFC’s website at www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca.
Submissions can be emailed to firecomm@gov.mb.ca with ‘Technical Safety Review’ in the subject line, or mailed to Technical Safety Review, Office of the Fire Commissioner, 508-401 York Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8.
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 15.
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