At the NC State Fair, nearly 100 rides were inspected for safety, mechanical and operational integrity

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Good news for driving enthusiasts coming to the NC State Fair. Labor Department inspectors say they are well ahead of schedule and have nearly every ride inspected. They're just waiting for a few rides that are still being set up. But so far, more than eighty rides have passed their safety inspections and been given the green light to operate.

Ride inspectors from the North Carolina Department of Labor have been inspecting rides at the fairgrounds for weeks, as ride owners and operators have set up nearly a hundred rides for the state fair.

Inspectors say North Carolina's amusement equipment laws are among the strictest in the country, requiring equipment to meet 100% of the manufacturer's specifications before a ride can operate. State inspectors inspect all rides each time they are installed at a new location.

Joey Hazelrigg, a state inspector, said: “We check the function and make sure all the safety switches are working properly. Check all tubs to make sure everything is installed correctly. All gates work. It’s quite an intensive, and comprehensive process.”

Inspectors are on-site at every stage of ride construction, inspecting the hardware used to assemble the ride and verifying the overall mechanical and structural integrity of the ride, as well as the function of the ride and safety circuits and switches. It's quite a lot that goes into a driving inspection.

“We inspect the components during assembly while it is on the ground. And after it's assembled, we inspect the construction and operation of the ride itself. This includes climbing – here you can see a ladder on the side. We.” Get on the harnesses and we’ll climb. Make sure all hardware and correct hardware are installed properly.

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Once the ride has been inspected and certified by the North Carolina Department of Labor, it is the responsibility of the ride owner and operators to conduct an operational inspection each day and operate the ride in accordance with legal requirements. Inspectors will be on site throughout the state fair, keeping a close eye on the rides and responding if anything happens.

If fairgoers notice anything on a ride that appears to be amiss, report it immediately to either the ride operator, fairground security, or one of their inspectors.

The 2024 NC State Fair will take place Thursday, October 17th through Sunday, October 27th.

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