State inspectors this year found safety issues with amusement rides that have or will appear at local county fairs.
Most issues were minor and easy to correct. Problems often are discovered and fixed prior to the rides opening for operation.
But inspectors also have required owners to repair or replace a frayed safety cable and missing safety restraints, state records show. Excessive corrosion was discovered on several cars on one ride.
News Center 7’s John Bedell spent Friday afternoon with inspectors visiting the Darke County Fair which kicks off today, Aug. 21, and runs through Aug. 26.
Thousands of U.S. children are hurt every year on amusement rides, and at least three in 10 injuries occur at traveling carnivals and mobile amusement parks, according to a study by a Columbus researcher.
State officials, however, said injuries at county fairs in Ohio are rare.
Most ride owners are responsible and take safety issues very seriously and work diligently to comply with the law, said Michael Vartorella, chief user-ride inspector for the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
