9 March 2009

Bridge Swing Fatal Accident – better regulations needed

The very unfortunate fatal accident at the Ballance Bridge in the Manawatu Gorge on Saturday highlights an issue with the regulation of some adventure-type activities in New Zealand.

“This was a very tragic accident and New Zealand’s regulation of adventure tourism activities needs be urgently updated to avoid more of these’” says Jack Mains – spokesperson for the Institution of Professional Engineers and the Recreational Safety Group.

“Traditional rides and activities which the public enjoy, such as fairground rides, and Go Karts are required to be registered with the Department of Labour as “Amusement Devices”. This is the quaint-sounding term used by the Amusement Devices Regulations 1978, public-good legislation that was enacted after a fatal Ferris Wheel accident in Palmerston North in 1973 to ensure the safety of people, and children in particular, while they are enjoying themselves on these recreational activities. The Regulations require initial approval of the design and regular on-going inspection by a chartered professional engineer of all registered devices,” says Mr Mains.

“However many of the other fringe activities enjoyed by the public today and which are so important to our adventure tourism industry were not envisaged when the Regulations were written. Some issues with interpretation of the Regulations have meant that devices which were always intended to be registered and inspected under them have “slipped the net”. Many operators have seen the value of voluntary compliance, but not all,” he says.

“The public has an absolute right to be able to assume that all commercial recreational activities involving machinery or equipment are safe and administered under the same rules. IPENZ’s role in this is to ensure that the engineers who inspect and certify these devices are highly skilled and independent professionals.

“IPENZ recommends that the Regulations should be urgently reviewed to include fringe adventure tourism activities such as this bridge swing in the Manawatu, to avoid future tragic accidents.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media