Park Law by Heather M. Eichenbaum, Esq. It s all fun and games...It’s all fun and games...’ T


keeping, but what abo attendant trainin


he risks associated with amusement rides are well known and parks take extraordinary steps to ensure their rides are safe: extensive operator and g, daily inspections, maintenance protocols, diligent record- ut other aspects of the guest experience? Games and other


Granted, the majority of games pose little to no risk of in ur – so it’s easy to understand that they are not at the forefront of park management’s mind when safety is the topic. However, some games – such as your strength’) game or


‘sharpshooter’ games utilising the classic strongman (or ‘test


air guns, for example – can involve risk of injury to a guest and should be maintained and operated in much the same ways as a ride.


For instance, the strongman game and mallets should be inspected on a regu manufacturer’s manual.


a mallet bounce-back? They can, and do, happen. Discard mallets and guns that are worn and replace them with equipment directly from the game


manufacturer.Make sure mallet heads are secure and air guns are not ‘jamming’ and are free of debris. As importantly,


y, inspections thoroughly documented inspections. Games should be tested for proper


operation daily before being opened and, again, this should b de ocumented. Document repairs made to the game. Although the repairs may be entirely unrelated to safety (i.e., replacement of a light bulb), the fact that you document all repairs will go a long way to evidencing that you inspect, maintain, and repair the game regularly.While it may initially seem funny if a mallet bounces back and strikes the player, the humour is quickly gone when he files a lawsuit and claims a traumatic brain injury as a result of the impact of the mallet to his head. Similarly, air gun that somehow ‘jams’ and results in an accident is no laughing matter. Ensure that games involving mallets, items being thrown, and guns of any kind have restricted access to the play area so bystanders are not also at risk of injury. Likewise, the training of game attendants should be performed regularly and follow


y, an


Kernels name and theme of


newroller coaster


In November last year, the amusement park in Lichtaart, Belgium announced that it is to open a new spectacular pl


roller coaster in 2019. The tri e launch coaster will be more than 40 metres high and reach speeds of more than 100 km/h. The new attraction, named Fury will be the centrepiece of a new thematic zone called ‘Land of Legends’.


MARC MARCH 20 201 9 , la


the same as you document ride of your games should be


Have you ever seen or heard o lar basis, in accordance with the


f


non-ride attractions can pose risks to guests but usually get relatively little attention. With regard to games of skill in particular, risks are often not considered. j y


a written protocol. Document the training of game attendants just as you do the training of ride operators and attendants.Maintain that training documentation for the same time period as you do other training documents.Make sure the rules for the game – including what is expected of the game attendant – are available at each game.


should be c restrictions.


Signage at games is just as important as it is at rides. Post the game rules and For instance, if only one player is allowed in a fenced game area, that learly stated on highly visible signage. If a game attendant is supposed to hand the player the equipment to play the game, post that clearly so g grabbing equipment equipment) themselves. Finally,


(and potentially the incorrect uests don’t take the liberty of


y, if you’ve discovered a potential danger in a game because an incident has occurred, contact the game manufacturer to discuss what occurred and ask it to try to determine what happened and develop a suggested warning or rule that can be posted at the game to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Yo


You would


prefefer that the manufacturer decide what the risk is and develop the language of the warning or rule. But, either way, warnings and/or rules should be posted if you are aware that a particular type of accident can occur on one of your games.


In short, treat your games as you do your rides. If a guest is injured at your park, it will make no difference that it was while playing a game as opposed to riding


an attraction. The experience will be ruined for the guest and he may be severely injured the wsuit is just as costly to defend, and the risk of bad publicity and an adverse verdict is just as real.


HeatherM. Eichenbaum is an executive committee member with Spector Gadon & Rosen, PC, practicing in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New Yo concentrates her practice in the defense of amusement,t, sports, hospitalityty recreation venues. Legal counsel to, and a BoardMember of,f, NAARSO, she is also a member of the NJAA, IAAPA, OABA, and IISF. or legal assistance regarding games inspections, training, signage, or developing signage, you can reach her at: +1 215-241-8856, or heichenbaum@lawsgr.com.


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York. She y,, and


vourites arriving in CBeebies L Alton Towers Resort has revealed that two major


Alton To ers unve favo


Tow ow


new family attractions will join the line-up in CBeebi Land this year. FromMarch 23rd, families will be able to experience the new ‘Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop’ ride, featuring the mischievous bunny Peter Rabbit and his friends Benjamin and Lily. April will see the arrival of the Teletubbies, who will be performing a brand new, twice daily live show exclusive to guests at CBeebies Land, called the ‘Teletubbies Big Band Live Show’!


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veils two newkid ’ wo


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