Virendra Lal, the Shadow Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, has raised concerns over the safety of amusement rides, criticizing the Ministry of Employment’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department for not adequately addressing the issue.
Lal emphasized the urgent need to enhance legislation governing amusement rides to prevent injuries and potentially fatal incidents. He referred to an alarming incident on September 1st in which a child was endangered due to a malfunction of an amusement ride.
He stated, “I am deeply concerned that the recent event could have been far worse. It is evident that OHS officers are not taking into account that this airplane ride is designed for children, who can be unpredictable. Safety measures must reflect this reality.”
Lal also recalled last year’s tragic accident involving a Ferris wheel at the Fiji Showcase that claimed the life of a young child, underscoring the necessity for a comprehensive review of safety protocols and legislation related to amusement rides.
While acknowledging ongoing investigations into these incidents, Lal insisted that greater efforts must be made to safeguard citizens, especially children. “We are fortunate that the incident on Sunday wasn’t as severe as it could have been, but it highlights the laxity in existing safety measures,” he stated.
He called on the relevant authorities, including the OHS team, to perform thorough inspections of all amusement rides to ensure compliance with the highest safety standards.
Lal stressed the importance of clearly defined and enforced safety rules for all ride operators, suggesting it is time for Parliament to reevaluate the laws governing amusement rides to guarantee appropriate safety protocols are established.
Furthermore, he advocated for ensuring that all amusement ride operators receive full training and that rides undergo regular inspections and maintenance.
“The safety of our people is paramount. We cannot afford to have more tragic accidents,” he concluded, urging the government to release a detailed report on the measures being implemented to avert such incidents in the future.