Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313648792 - Christiansen Amusements Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

On August 5, 2013, an employee of the traveling carnival was dismantling the Ferris Wheel-type portable amusement ride. He was wearing a fall protection harness and was tied off on the wheel face at about 20 feet from the ground level. The employee began removing pins on the inner spreader bars supporting the spokes, referred to "sweeps." The employee stated in an interview on August 10, 2013 that it seemed unusually difficult to remove the initial spreader bar retaining pin and used a larger pin as a hammer to extract the smaller spreader bar pin. As soon as the pin came out, a set of five spokes all connected by their spreader bars came down, striking the employee. It was believed that the spreader bar retaining pin on the spoke five was either dislodged during the hammering or had fallen out at some point prior to the accident. The employee's direct supervisor had been on the ground directing the dismantling of the ride and stated that the employee did not notice anything out of the ordinary until the time of the accident. The employee was struck on head and was not responsive. The employee was extricated from the ride by Los Angeles County Fire Department and transported to LA county USC Medical Center after the event. The employee was hospitalized and treated for his injuries. The ride was manufactured by Chance Rides, Wichita, Kansas and was a Sky Diver Serial Number 68-12236. It had a State of California Permit Number A35975, and a State of California Ride ID number C 178. The Sky Diver was a single trailer-mounted portable amusement ride. The drive system was electro/hydraulic and the braking system was hydraulic using rim drive tires. The equipment was manufactured in 1968. Part of the ride had been damaged during the extrication of the employee, and it should be noted that the DOSH Ride and Tramway Unit revoked the Operating Permit for the ride at the time of the inspection. Employer represented that the Sky Diver ride involved in the event had been removed from service permanently and placed in storage at the employer's yard in Ramona, CA.

Keywords: HEAD, FALL PROTECTION, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT