Regulation requirements at Missouri State Fair
The Missouri State Fair has kicked off for the 166th year in Sedalia, less than a month after a fatal accident at the Ohio State Fair.
The fair will not have the Fireball ride involved in the accident in Ohio, and it posted its safety regulation requirements on their website to address concerns.
According to the website, the fair complies with all regulations established by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Regulations went into effect in 1997 when the state passed legislation on the requirements.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety oversees all ride inspections in the state.
According to the state’s website, owners of an amusement ride who want to operate in Missouri are required to provide documentation to the Missouri Division of Fire Safety indicating the ride has passed a safety inspection by a state-approved inspectors in the last 12 months.
The state also explains the definition of an amusement ride that is required to meet the annual safety inspection. In addition to the traditional idea of an amusement ride, the definition also includes “any dry slide over 20 feet” and “any climbing wall over 10 feet in height.”
Rides must pass their annual inspection and are also subject to spot inspections. If any issues that could pose a risk to the public are found during a spot inspection, the state requires the ride to be closed immediately until the issue is corrected. Before the ride is allowed to reopen, the division staff must reinspect the ride.
In addition to meeting required safety regulations, the Missouri State Fair also requires that a third party, nationally certified carnival ride inspector is on the fairgrounds throughout the entire fair to oversee ride safety.
