The Interpreter Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Subject: OSHA Fall Regulations http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2012/11/amusement-park-owner-hires-squire-sanders-to-lobby-on-osha-regulations.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKIVortex Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 Huh? I have no idea what any of that means? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 OSHA is rewriting fall protection standards. FUN has hired a lobbying firm to try to influence the result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombRaiderFTW Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 From my extremely limited political science background: a lobbyist attempts to persuade politicians, namely senators, to show favor to certain causes when drafting legislation, etc. Lobbyists get their name from having a history of approaching politicians in the lobby of government buildings. (For instance, a stem cell research company might hire a lobbyist to persuade politicians to stand against restricting stem cell research. The research company wants to maximize its profits without having to dodge legalities, so it's in their best interest to have direct, face-to-face contact with the people in charge of writing the laws.) Kind of confused as to why an amusement park owner cares enough about politics to hire its own personal lobbyist, though. Maybe someone can fill us in? EDIT: That would make sense, Terp. Isn't OSHA responsible for the one or two strips of wood in the middle of several Cedar Fair wooden coasters' tracks? Something about the space between the rails being an occupational hazard if left open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 It has been so stated. More likely a company decision, else you would see this on other coasters in other chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanna Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 The men who walk the coasters at KI are attached to the rail with caribiners, aren't they? I wonder if it also includes building within the park. During Haunt, there are bungee-ers in some of the houses. Since FUN includes all of Cedar Faire parks, I think that would also include the acrobats seen at Cedar Point. I've never see an evacuation of a tall ride at KI, but in films I've seen, riders are helped down by workers. Are the evacuation workers also carabined? It might have to do with new insurance regulations. My better half's company works with a lobbyist. No doubt any of you that have watched the Venture Bros. know about the dangers of Radon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Christopher Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 The men who walk the coasters at KI are attached to the rail with caribiners, aren't they? I wonder if it also includes building within the park. During Haunt, there are bungee-ers in some of the houses. Since FUN includes all of Cedar Faire parks, I think that would also include the acrobats seen at Cedar Point. I've never see an evacuation of a tall ride at KI, but in films I've seen, riders are helped down by workers. Are the evacuation workers also carabined? Correct, although carabiners are considered "connectors" under OSHA standard 1910.66 App C. All personnel who work at height are required to undergo proper training and utilize the required systems in place in the form of personal fall arrest and/or positioning systems. The bungee actors utilize an effect called The Slingshot from StudioTek FX. I don't believe their harness is considered fall protection, though I'm sure there are still preventative measures in place both from the manufacturer and corporate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 And as for new insurance regulations, at last report Cedar Fair was self-insured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanna Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 The men who walk the coasters at KI are attached to the rail with caribiners, aren't they? I wonder if it also includes building within the park. During Haunt, there are bungee-ers in some of the houses. Since FUN includes all of Cedar Faire parks, I think that would also include the acrobats seen at Cedar Point. I've never see an evacuation of a tall ride at KI, but in films I've seen, riders are helped down by workers. Are the evacuation workers also carabined? Correct, although carabiners are considered "connectors" under OSHA standard 1910.66 App C. All personnel who work at height are required to undergo proper training and utilize the required systems in place in the form of personal fall arrest and/or positioning systems. The bungee actors utilize an effect called The Slingshot from StudioTek FX. I don't believe their harness is considered fall protection, though I'm sure there are still preventative measures in place both from the manufacturer and corporate. Thank you. I would like to purchase a Slingshot from said company to frighten small children off my lawn, please. I didn't know what else to call them but carabiners. How do they move them forward when they are walking the track? Are they using the railing that goes along the ride? (Totally lost about how they do it on DB.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Christopher Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 There is typically a horizontal lifeline system in place where positioning belts and lanyards are attached to shuttles/rope grabs that allow them to pass through at intermediate points. The exact specification may differ on case-by-case basis. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanna Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Thank you. At least I won't be so nervous next time the news broadcasts it's yearly "Checking on the roller coasters" piece. edit: Now I see the lifeline system in use. http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.ca/2012/11/son-of-beast-trackwalkers.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.