Following an in-depth investigation into what caused a Reverchon Himalaya ride to eject three riders at a Texas rodeo, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued additional guidelines to ensure riders' safety. One rider was killed and two others were seriously injured when the Himalaya's lap bar failed on March 19 in Austin, Texas.
Since the incident, CPSC has issued three safety alerts to states for inspection of the ride in critical areas. CPSC is now asking ride operators and inspectors to check eight specific components, including fastener pins, rubber shock absorbers and center spindles. About 25 Himalaya rides operate in the United States at both mobile carnivals and fixed-site parks. Reverchon of France manufactured the ride in 1984.
In a separate action, as a precautionary measure, CPSC also is urging all states to immediately inspect the mobile amusement rides known as Ranger, Kamikaze, or Hi-Flyer, in accordance with the manufacturer's recently issued safety bulletin. California Ride Safety Officials have discovered severe corrosion on some of the rides' shoulder restraints. If the shoulder restraint were to fail, riders could be severely injured or killed. There have been no reported incidents with these rides. About 17 Ranger, Kamikaze, and Hi-Flyer rides operate in the United States at both mobile carnivals and fixed-site parks. FarFabbri of Italy manufactured these rides from 1988 to 1992.
While CPSC has jurisdiction over the mobile rides that move from place to place, states and local communities are responsible for inspections and oversight. State safety inspectors will work with CPSC to ensure the rides operate safely.
While most states currently have some mandatory regulations or inspection program to ensure ride safety, the following states have no regulations and do not require that rides be inspected for safety: Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah and Vermont. The following states have insurance company or other private inspections, but do not require inspections by state or local regulators: Arizona, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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