Inspections increased at local fairs after accidents in other states

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — State inspectors have increased inspections at local fairs after a rash of problems at summer carnivals across the country.

Channel 2 Action News Gwinnett County bureau chief Tony Thomas followed inspectors as they looked at 54 rides going up at the Gwinnett County Fair. The fair is one of the largest in Georgia and opens on Thursday. %

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Under Georgia law, the rides must be inspected the first time they come into the state each year, but not after that. State Fire Marshal Dwayne Garriss is now looking at ways to increase inspections to make sure the rides are safe whenever they are used in the state.

“As you go through take down and set up, take down, set up, things get worn and things get banged up a little bit on the road, and that's what we are looking for here,” Garriss told Thomas.

Inspectors found some issues with one large ride, the Ring of Fire.

“We already found some electrical issues and some cracks and deterioration in the metal,” Garriss said.

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Crews were checking with the manufacturer of the machine to see what repairs needed to be made. If not approved, the ride will not be able to operate when the Gwinnett County Fair opens.

Garriss said he’s also looking at other ways to spread his thin team of inspectors around, including using local fire departments to help look at carnivals as they arrive in towns across the state.

“We are actually working on a checklist of things they can help just walk through give us some line of site issues,” Garriss said.

The same group of workers setting up at the Gwinnett Fair just came from Memphis where a several riders of a large spinning ride were injured in a mishap. That ride and its operator were not brought to Georgia. The company running the Gwinnett Carnival said he welcomes all the inspections.

“We'll get a full inspection and everything in Georgia has to be 100 percent or it can't open,” Said Rob Vivona, of Amusements of America.

Also welcoming the added attention is the manager of the fair. Dale Thurman says the Gwinnett County Fair Association paid extra to make sure every ride set up this year was inspected, even if state law didn’t require it.

“It is an extra expense, but the safety record is what you’re after,” Thurman said.

Cox Media Group