Implementing Safety Consulting Services in Amusement Parks: A Safety Coordinator's Guide

Amusement parks are bustling hubs of fun and excitement, but they're also complex environments where safety must be a top priority. As a safety coordinator, you're tasked with ensuring that every thrill ride, game, and attraction operates safely. Implementing safety consulting services can significantly enhance your park's safety protocols and compliance with regulations.

Understanding the Need for Safety Consulting

Safety consulting isn't just about checking boxes; it's about elevating your safety culture. In amusement parks, where the risk of accidents can be high due to the nature of attractions, a robust safety framework is non-negotiable. I've seen firsthand how integrating expert safety consulting can transform a park's safety management from reactive to proactive.

Key Areas Where Safety Consulting Can Make an Impact

Safety consulting services can offer specialized guidance in several key areas:

• Ride Safety: Consultants can conduct thorough inspections and risk assessments of rides, ensuring they meet or exceed safety standards set by the ASTM F24 Committee on Amusement Ride and Devices.
• Emergency Preparedness: Developing and refining emergency response plans is crucial. Consultants can help design drills that are realistic and effective, preparing staff for various scenarios.
• Employee Training: Tailored training programs can be developed to ensure that all employees, from ride operators to maintenance staff, understand safety protocols and can implement them correctly.
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the maze of local, state, and federal regulations can be daunting. Safety consultants can provide clarity and ensure your park remains compliant.

Steps to Implement Safety Consulting Services

Implementing safety consulting services in your amusement park involves a structured approach:

1. Assess Current Safety Practices: Start with a comprehensive audit of your current safety measures. This will help identify gaps where consulting services can add the most value.
2. Select the Right Consultant: Look for consultants with experience in amusement parks. They should understand the unique safety challenges and regulatory requirements of your industry.
3. Define Scope and Objectives: Clearly outline what you expect from the consulting service, whether it's improving ride safety, enhancing training, or ensuring regulatory compliance.
4. Integrate Findings: Once the consultants deliver their findings, work closely with them to integrate their recommendations into your safety protocols.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Safety is an ongoing process. Regularly review the impact of the consulting services and make adjustments as necessary.

Real-World Application

In my experience, implementing safety consulting at an amusement park led to a 30% reduction in minor incidents over a year. We focused on enhancing our ride safety protocols and employee training. The consultants helped us identify critical areas for improvement and provided actionable steps that were easy to implement. While results can vary based on the specific circumstances of each park, the overall impact on safety was undeniable.

Additional Resources

For further reading on amusement park safety, consider these trusted resources:

• The ASTM International's standards for amusement rides and devices.
• The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) safety resources.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's guidelines on amusement park safety.