A POPULAR UK theme park has closed a whopping nine rides over ‘public safety’ fears.
This comes after a routine inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
InstagramWoodlands Family Theme Park in Devon was forced to close nine rides[/caption]
InstagramThe site was inspected by the HSE earlier this month[/caption]
InstagramThe Theme Park was at one point unable to show valid industry standard safety checks[/caption]
It has been reported that Woodlands Family Theme Park was ordered to temporarily close a number of attractions in the park.
This was after the Devon theme park was apparently unable to show valid safety checks to the watchdog during the visit.
As part of an ongoing programme of inspections, the HSE attended the site on June 26th.
This is part of a wider look at fixed and mobile fairgrounds across the UK to make people more comfortable with theme park safety.
The body explained that the site near Dartmouth was “unable to provide sufficient assurance” around the safety of nine of its rides.
It seems that the “declarations of compliance” for some of the attractions were missing.
The inspection is part of a wider scheme that was the industry’s adopted standard for inspection and certification when it comes to fairgrounds and amusement parks.
It was started to improve safety standards and increase confidence from the public in consultation with the HSE.
The following rides in the park were affected; Sea Dragon, Vertigo, Trauma Tower, Tractor Ride, Submarine Ride, Dragon Ferris Wheel, Polar Pilots, Dizzy Dune Buggies and Rocking Tug.
This was after the director of an inspection company was suspended from their position in the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS).
However, according to Devon Live, the body did confirm that the theme park was able to quickly rectify the issues to “minimise disruption”.
The outlet reported that it stated: “After David Geary of DMG Technical Limited was suspended from the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS), Declarations of Compliance for the nine rides were missing.
“HSE took proactive action to stop them being used until the issue was resolved.
“Woodlands Family Theme Park urgently commissioned an inspection body, who produced the Declarations of Compliance required, meaning the rides could reopen with minimal delay.”
Statement by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
“This action was taken in the interests of public safety. At this time of year, any enforcement action will cause inconvenience, but it is vital that those who enjoy amusement parks are kept safe and feel reassured. We thank Woodlands for their co-operation to resolve this matter.”
Meanwhile, Woodlands Family Theme Park said: “We take HSE-related compliance legislation very seriously. As soon as this was brought to our attention, all the rides were reinspected by another registered inspector. We would like to add that at no time would Woodlands ever be involved in anything related to non-compliance of safety. We have and will remain totally committed to raising and maintaining standards in our industry.”
In a statement referred to The Sun, HSE inspector Melissa Lai-Hung said: “This action was taken in the interests of public safety.
“At this time of year, any enforcement action will cause inconvenience, but it is vital that those who enjoy amusement parks are kept safe and feel reassured.
“We thank Woodlands for their co-operation to resolve this matter.”
In a statement released through HSE, Woodlands Family Theme Park said: “We take HSE-related compliance legislation very seriously.
“As soon as this was brought to our attention, all the rides were reinspected by another registered inspector.”
The park added: “We would like to add that at no time would Woodlands ever be involved in anything related to non-compliance of safety.
“We have and will remain totally committed to raising and maintaining standards in our industry.”
InstagramThe watchdog was missing ‘declarations of compliance’ for some of the rides[/caption]
InstagramMembers of the HSE have stated that the problems could be quickly rectified[/caption]
The Sun has also approached Woodlands Family Theme Park for direct comment.
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