S.C. Code Regs. § § 71-4400

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 71-4400 - Maintenance Procedures for Amusement Devices

1. Each owner of an amusement device shall read and become familiar with the contents of the manufacturer's maintenance instructions and specifications. Based on the manufacturer's recommendations, each owner shall develop and implement a program of maintenance and inspections providing for the duties and responsibilities necessary in the care of each amusement device. This program of maintenance shall include a checklist provided to each person performing the regularly scheduled maintenance on each device. The owner's checklist (on a device-by-device basis) shall include but not be limited to the following:

A. A description of preventive maintenance assignments to be performed with frequency;

B. A description of inspections to be performed with frequency;

C. Special safety instructions, where applicable; and

D. Any additional recommendations of the owner.

2. The owner of the amusement device shall provide training for each person performing the regularly scheduled maintenance on the device, pertaining to their assigned duties. This training shall include, but not be limited to the following:

A. Instructions on inspection and preventive maintenance procedures;

B. Instructions on specific duties of the assigned position;

C. Instructions on general safety procedures;

D. Demonstrations of the physical performance of the assigned regularly scheduled duties and inspections;

E. Supervised observation of the maintenance person's physical performance of his assigned regularly scheduled duties and inspections; and

F. Additional instructions deemed necessary by the owner.

3. Prior to carrying passengers, the owner shall conduct or cause to be conducted a daily pre-opening inspection to insure proper operation of the device. Where the manufacturer provides relevant instructions for a daily inspection, the owner may incorporate these instructions into his inspection procedure. Where the manufacturer does not provide such instructions, the owner may incorporate relevant instructions for a daily inspection based on instructions from other amusement devices similar in design and function. The owner shall maintain a record of the daily inspection, signed and dated by the person performing it. These records shall be kept for a period of no less than three (3) years. The inspection program shall include, but not be limited to the following:

A. Inspection of all passenger-carrying equipment, including restraint equipment and latches;

B. Visual inspection of entrances, exits, stairways, and ramps;

C. Visual inspection of grounds around and/or inside of the device;

D. Functional testing of all communication equipment necessary for the operation of the device;

E. Inspection or testing of all automatic and manual safety equipment, including flotation and tethering equipment where applicable;

F. Inspection or testing of brakes, including service brakes, emergency brakes, parking brakes, and back stops;

G. Visual inspection of any fencing, guarding and barricades;

H. Visual inspection of the device structure;

I. Visual inspection of electrical equipment and wiring;

J. Visual inspection of accessible pins and fasteners;

K. Visual inspection of blocking and shoring; and

L. The device shall be operated for a minimum of two complete operating cycles. A complete cycle shall include operation of all passenger-carrying equipment.

4. Following any unscheduled cessation of operation necessitated by malfunction, adjustment, environmental conditions, mechanical, electrical, operational or structural modification, the device shall be unloaded and the device, or the specifically affected element, shall be appropriately inspected and operated without passengers to determine that the cause for cessation of operation has been corrected and does not create an operational problem.

5. If an inspector finds that the amusement device presents an imminent danger, he will notify in writing the amusement device operator, owner, and sponsor of the fair or carnival or owner of the land upon which the fair or carnival is located. If the device is not immediately removed from service, the inspector will file a report of the imminent danger with the Commissioner of Labor. A temporary or permanent restraining order will be sought where appropriate.

6. The owner or lessee of any amusement device which, during the course of its operation, is involved in an accident which results in a serious injury shall report the injury to the Commissioner before the end of the next business day. The report will include the names and addresses of the injured parties, the hospital where treatment was rendered, type of injuries, type of device involved, owner, and any other information pertaining to the events leading up to, the nature of, and the outcome of the accident as well as the status of the device involved in the accident.

7. Any part which has caused, contributed to, or has been damaged during a catastrophic accident shall not be removed from a device or destroyed until inspected by the Department.

S.C. Code Regs. § 71-4400

Added by State Register Volume 11, Issue No. 6, effective June 26, 1987. Amended by State Register Volume 12, Issue No. 5, effective May 27, 1988; State Register Volume 17, Issue No. 5, Part 3, eff May 28, 1993.