The Shadow Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Virendra Lal, has raised serious concerns about the safety of amusement rides, accusing the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department of the Ministry of Employment of neglecting its duties.
Lal emphasized the need for stronger legislation to ensure amusement rides are safe, stating that there must be measures in place to prevent injuries and fatalities. He referenced a recent incident on September 1st, where a child’s safety was compromised due to a malfunction of an amusement ride.
“I am deeply concerned that the recent event could have been far worse,” he said, noting that the OHS officers appear to overlook the unpredictability of children who use such attractions. He described the necessity of enhancing safety protocols, particularly in light of last year’s tragic Ferris wheel accident at the Fiji Showcase, which resulted in the loss of a young life.
While investigations into these incidents are ongoing, Lal insisted that more measures need to be implemented to protect citizens, especially children. “We are fortunate that the incident on Sunday wasn’t as severe as it could have been, but it highlights gaps in existing safety measures,” he stated.
He urged the relevant authorities, including the OHS team, to conduct comprehensive inspections of all amusement rides to verify that they comply with the highest safety standards. Furthermore, he insisted that safety regulations must be clearly outlined, enforced, and strictly followed by all operators.
Lal also called for Parliament to review existing laws governing amusement rides to ensure effective safety protocols are established. He stressed the importance of ensuring that all ride operators receive complete training and that rides undergo regular inspections and maintenance.
“The safety of our people is paramount. We cannot afford to have more tragic accidents. I hope that the Government will issue a comprehensive report detailing the measures being taken to prevent such incidents in the future,” he concluded.