Virendra Lal, the Shadow Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, has raised concerns about the safety of amusement rides, criticizing the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department of the Ministry of Employment for inadequate oversight.
Lal emphasized the necessity of strengthening legislation related to amusement rides to ensure the safety of users, particularly children. He referenced a recent incident on September 1, where a malfunctioning ride endangered a child’s life.
“I am deeply concerned that the recent event could have been far worse. This serves as a clear indication that OHS officers are not fully considering the unpredictable nature of children and the need for robust safety measures,” Lal stated.
He pointed to last year’s tragic accident involving a Ferris wheel at the Fiji Showcase, which resulted in the loss of a young life, highlighting the urgent need for a review of current safety protocols and regulations governing amusement rides.
While investigations into these incidents continue, Lal asserted that more proactive measures are necessary to safeguard citizens, especially children. He noted, “We were fortunate that Sunday’s incident did not lead to a worse outcome, but it underscores the inadequacies in existing safety measures.”
He called for the OHS and relevant authorities to conduct comprehensive inspections of amusement rides to ensure compliance with high safety standards.
Lal advocated for clearly defined and enforced safety rules that all operators must adhere to. He also suggested that Parliament consider reviewing the laws governing amusement rides to enhance safety procedures.
Moreover, he stressed the importance of ensuring that all operators are fully trained and that rides are subject to regular inspections and maintenance.
“The safety of our people is paramount. We cannot afford to have more tragic accidents. It is crucial for the Government to issue a detailed report outlining the preventative measures being implemented to avoid future incidents,” he concluded.