FEATURE | THEME PARKS
‘where passageways or walkways are provided obstructions shall not be placed so that safety of personnel will be jeopardised by movements of the crane’. Then there’s ASME B30.2, which carries
standards and requirements for equipment not covered under 1910.179. There are also likely to be a patchwork of state and local regulations, as well as specific operating procedures from the equipment manufacturer.
Finally, OSHA has established strict fall
protection standards, which apply to those working at height. Clearly, that’s going to include people operating cranes and hoists at theme parks. “These standards cover anchor points, personal protective equipment and the use of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs),” says Ring. “Our technicians are extensively trained, and certified through our own training school, to ensure full compliance with these requirements while operating in demanding environments.” For instance, CraneTech will establish clearly marked safety zones, by installing safety barricades to control all access to the hazard areas. When equipment can’t be accessed by traditional MEWPs, they will employ lifeline systems. They also coordinate closely with the park maintenance and safety teams, to apply park standards on top of their own well-attested safety protocols.
“One widely adopted safety protocol is our line-of-sight requirement with a single point of direction,” says Ring, by way of example. “A trained, ground-level operator maintains continuous visual contact with technicians and has authority to stop work, cancel a lift, and communicate with all personnel within or near the safety zone.” Any time the team carry out a service, repair
or installation, they do so with a keen eye to potential hazards. “At CraneTech, each job begins with a job
hazard analysis (JHA) to identify potential risks, their location in the workflow and the best ways to control or minimise exposure,” he says. “The JHA is then reviewed with all team members involved, ensuring everyone understands the hazards, controls and each step of the job before work begins.” This process relies on thorough pre-planning, as well as on clear and open communication between everyone involved. Work areas must be secure, MEWPs must be operated safely and lockout/tagout procedures must be rigorously followed. (These are safety procedures followed during maintenance, to prevent unexpected startup of rides, as well as electrical shock or other hazardous energy release.) “Technicians are trained to avoid the direct path of components when troubleshooting cranes and other machinery, further reducing
exposure to hazards,” says Ring. “During work, if conditions change, new hazards are identified or personnel are swapped, a ‘stop work’ event is initiated to reassess the JHA and determine any corrective actions required. This structured approach ensures safe, controlled and efficient operations at all times.”
High stakes These types of considerations are front of mind for a company like CraneTech. However, they’re issues the average park visitor would never be aware of. If they do notice an overhead crane or hoist as they wander through the theme park, they aren’t likely to pay much attention. What’s a crane when you have magical turrets to gaze upon, or a photo opportunity with Minnie Mouse? Little do they realise that cranes and hoists have been central to their experience all along, and that without this equipment, the park attractions would never have got up and running in the first place. Crane operators, inspectors and technicians certainly have a lot to be proud of – but there’s a lot at stake for them too. “Working in a theme park can be very challenging. But our team takes great pride in knowing that our work helps theme parks operate safely with minimal disruption, which brings satisfaction to parkgoers from around the world,” says Ring.
With all the captivating attractions surrounding them, most visitors are unaware of the role hoists and cranes play in bringing them to life. 80 Spring 2026 |
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