Compliance checks on amusement rides as well as engagements with amusement ride operators and show organizers will be carried out by NT WorkSafe to ensure the safety of Territorians and visitors as this year’s show circuit kicks off, the regulator said.

The announcement follows an amusement ride operator being fined last week after being found guilty of one count of failing to comply with an improvement notice issued about the state of his amusement rides in 2021 and another incident by the same operator that caused injury to a woman and child in 2019.

NT WorkSafe said in a statement that it conducts yearly compliance checks to ensure the safety of thrill rides operating in the NT.

“Amusement ride operators must ensure their rides have gone through proper maintenance checks and regular inspections. This means rides should be inspected and maintained according to manufacturer specifications or requirements set out by a competent person such as an engineer,” NT WorkSafe Regulatory Compliance Manager Maria Rigas said.

Amusement ride operators must make sure they implement safe systems of work and provide appropriate training for workers so rides are operated safely, Ms Rigas added.

“They also have to check that the noise component, electrical and restraint systems of their rides are within the required standards and emergency equipment is easy to access and works as designed.

“Inspectors will be checking that control measures are in place, so we are asking operators to ensure that their log books are kept detailed and up-to-date.”

Failure to meet these requirements may cause the rides to malfunction which could result in serious injuries to riders, she said.

“In light of the multiple amusement ride failures we have seen nationally, we are asking all duty holders to take on their legal responsibilities.”

“In that way, we can all keep the Territory shows enjoyable, and most importantly, safe.”

Last week it was revealed that amusement ride operator Tyrone Troy Taylor had set up several amusement rides at Karu Park to operate a carnival in August 2021 and was issued several improvement notices for his rides by NT WorkSafe inspectors due to maintenance concerns.

Mr Taylor was already before the courts facing NT WorkSafe charges over the 2019 Octopus Ride malfunction at the Freds Pass Show, which injured two passengers when he was issued a compliance notice.

“Improvement notices are one of the tools available to inspectors to ensure compliance with the work health and safety laws. Inspectors will issue an improvement notice if they form a reasonable belief that there has been a contravention of the laws that could create a risk to health and safety,” NT WorkSafe said.

Anyone at the shows who has safety concerns with a ride can contact NT WorkSafe at 1800 019 115 or ntworksafe@nt.gov.au.