Transportation

Operations, Traffic and Safety

Rule 60: Amusement Ride Safety

Effective Date: 09/10/2025

Admin. Code Reference: R920-60

Rule Type: Current Rule

R920. Transportation, Operations, Traffic and Safety.

R920-60. Amusement Ride Safety.

R920-60-1. Purpose.

This rule establishes standards for the inspection and operation of amusement rides operated in Utah in the interest and safety of the public. This rule also provides a permitting process for amusement rides, a certification process for qualified safety inspectors, and implementation of powers and duties of the Utah Amusement Ride Safety Committee and its director.

R920-60-2. Authority.

This rule is authorized by Section 72-16-203 and Section 72-16-304.

R920-60-3. Scope.

(1) This rule applies to each amusement ride operated in Utah.

(2) This rule does not apply to:

(a) a coin-operated amusement ride that:

(i) is manually, mechanically, or electrically operated;

(ii) is customarily placed in a public location; and

(iii) does not typically require the supervision or services of an operator;

(b) playground equipment including swings, seesaws, stationary spring-mounted animal features, rider-propelled merry-go-rounds, climbers, slides, swing sets, and physical fitness devices;

(d) a challenge, exercise, or obstacle course, including competitive events and participant-propelled aerial adventure courses, ziplines, and ropes courses;

(e) a trampoline;

(f) an inflatable device;

(g) a water-based recreational attraction when complete or partial immersion is intended, including a water slide, wave pool, or water park;

(h) a race-kart designed for the sole purpose of racing on a track, street, or another area of competition, and not to be used by the public in an amusement facility setting;

(i) a skating rink, arcade, laser paintball game, bowling alley, miniature golf course, ball crawl, an item of exercise equipment, jet ski, paddleboat, airboat, hot air balloon, whether tethered or untethered, batting cage, game, and sideshow;

(j) an amusement ride operated at a private event that is not open to the public and not subject to a separate admission charge, or any amusement ride owned and operated by a non-profit organization that meets each of the requirements in this rule and operates their amusement rides less than eight days in any calendar year;

(k) a passenger ropeway as defined in Section 72-11-102;

(l) a tractor ride and wagon ride; or

(m) a motion seat in a movie theater for which the manufacturer does not require a restraint.

R920-60-4. Definitions.

In addition to terms defined in Section 72-16-102, the following terms are defined as follows:

(1) "Aerial Adventure Course" means a patron participatory facility or facilities consisting of one or more elevated walkways, platforms, zip lines, nets, ropes, or other elements that require the use of fall hazard personal safety equipment (PSE). Aerial adventure courses are typically referred to as ropes courses, free fall devices, and zip lines in this rule.

(2) "AIMS International" means Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International.

(3) "Amusement Ride" means a device or combination of devices or elements that carries or conveys one or more riders along, around, or over a fixed or restricted route or course or allows the riders to steer or guide the device within an established area to give the riders amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement.

(4) "Amusement Ride, Kiddie Ride" means an amusement ride designed primarily for children up to 12 years of age.

(5) "Amusement Ride, Non-Kiddie Ride" means an amusement ride not defined as a kiddie ride amusement ride.

(6) "Annual Permit" means the amusement ride operating permit issued for a permanent amusement ride or a mobile amusement ride and is issued by the director and is valid for one year.

(7) "ASTM" means ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials.

(8) "Certificate of Inspection" means the documentation of an amusement ride inspection conducted by a qualified safety inspector.

(9) "Concession Go-Karts" means a single-vehicle that is powered without connection to a common energy source, which is driver-controlled for acceleration, speed, braking, and steering, which operates within the containment system of a defined track, which simulates competitive motorsports, and which is used by the public.

(10) "Director" means the director of the Amusement Ride Safety Committee, facilitated by the Utah Department of Transportation, or a designee thereof, which may include an employee of the Utah Department of Transportation or another person.

(11) "Inspection for Annual Permit" means a procedure to be conducted before applying for an annual permit, or at the time of a major modification, by a qualified safety inspector to determine whether an amusement ride complies with the standards under this rule.

(12) "Inspection, Daily" means a procedure to be performed and recorded by the owner-operator of an amusement ride, or the operator's designee, on days the amusement ride will be operated for the public that confirms the current operational safety of the amusement ride following this rule and the manufacturer's recommendations, as applicable.

(13) "Major Modification" means any change in either the structural or operational characteristics of the amusement ride that will alter its performance from that specified in the manufacturer's design criteria.

(14) "Mobile Amusement Ride" means an amusement ride that is:

(a) designed or adapted to be moved from one location to another;

(b) not fixed at a single location; and

(15) "Muti Ride Annual Permit" means the amusement ride operating permit issued for multiple rides at an amusement park that employs more than 1,000 individuals in a calendar year and is issued by the director and is valid for a period of one year.

(16) "NAARSO" means National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials.

(17) "Operator" means an individual who controls the starting, stopping, or speed of an amusement ride.

(18) "Owner-Operator" means an individual who has control over and responsibility for the maintenance, setup, inspection, and operation of an amusement ride.

(19) "Permanent Amusement Ride" means an amusement ride that is not a mobile amusement ride.

(20) "Qualified Safety Inspector" means an individual who holds a valid qualified Utah safety inspector certification.

(21) "Race-Karts" means go-karts designed for the sole purpose of racing on tracks, streets, or other areas of competition, and not to be used by the public in an amusement facility setting.

(22) "Reportable Serious Injury" means an injury to a rider that:

(a) occurs if there is a failure or malfunction of an amusement ride; and

(b) results in death, dismemberment, permanent disfigurement, permanent loss of the use of a body organ, member, function, or system, or a compound fracture.

(23) "Serious Injury" means an injury to a rider that:

(a) occurs if there is a failure or malfunction of an amusement ride; and

(b) requires immediate admission to a hospital and overnight hospitalization and observation by a licensed physician.

R920-60-5. General Requirements for Amusement Rides.

(1) General Requirements for Amusement Ride Operation. Beginning on April 1, 2023, a person may not operate an amusement ride in the state that is open to the public until they meet the following general requirements:

(a) apply for and receive a valid permit to operate an amusement ride in the state;

(b) to apply for a permit, provide certification of an inspection completed following Section R920-60-8 for each inspection conducted by a qualified safety inspector;

(d) not operate a mobile amusement ride after a reportable serious injury until authorized by the director;

(e) maintain insurance on amusement rides as required by statute and rule; and

(f) conduct daily inspections and maintain documentation for daily inspections for one year.

(2) The Department incorporates by reference the following ASTM standards into this rule:

(a) The following sections of F770-24 Standard Practice for Ownership, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices (Apr. 25, 2025):

(i) Section 5. Owner-Operator's Responsibility;

(ii) Section 6. Operations Program Requirements;

(iii) Section 7. Maintenance Program Requirements;

(iv) Section 8. Inspection Program Requirements; and

(v) Section 9. Training Program Requirements.

(b) Section 7. Concession Go-Kart Facility Operations of F2007-24 Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Operation of Concession Go-Karts and Facilities (Apr. 25, 2025);

(c) Section 5. Ownership, Operation, Maintenance, Inspection, and Training Requirements of F2460-19 Standard Practice for Special Requirements for Bumper Boats (Sept. 26 2023); and

(d) F2960-23 Standard Practice for Permanent Amusement Railwide Ride Tracks and Related Devices (July 19, 2023).

R920-60-6. Application for Annual Permit.

(1) To obtain or renew an annual permit or multi-ride annual permit, the owner-operator shall submit an application to the director that contains the following information:

(a) Annual Permit for Mobile Amusement Ride. The owner-operator shall submit an application to the director that contains the following information and is in a form prescribed by the director:

(i) the owner-operator's name and address;

(ii) a description of the mobile amusement ride, including the manufacturer's name, serial number, and model number;

(iii) each known location in the state where the owner-operator intends to operate the mobile amusement ride during the 12-month period for which the annual permit is valid;

(iv) the name and contact information of the fair, show, landlord, or property owner for each location of operation;

(v) the dates on which the owner-operator intends to set up the mobile amusement ride at each location;

(vi) the dates on which the owner-operator intends to operate the mobile amusement ride for use by the public at each location listed;

(vii) proof of compliance with insurance requirements as described in Subsection R920-60-6(6);

(vii) a safety inspection certification in a form approved by the director, signed by a qualified safety inspector, dated no more than 30 days before the day on which the owner-operator submits the application for an annual permit; and

(viii) a fee established by the committee.

(2) Owner-operators of mobile amusement rides shall update the information described in Subsection R920-60-6(1)(a)(iii) if the owner-operator learns of a new location where the owner-operator intends to operate the mobile amusement ride. A mobile amusement ride may not be operated unless the owner-operator includes the location of the ride:

(a) in the owner-operator's application or renewal for an annual permit; or

(b) in an update that the owner-operator submits to the director at least 30 days before the day on which the owner-operator sets up the mobile amusement ride at the location.

(3) Annual Permit for Permanent Amusement Ride. The owner-operator shall submit an application to the director that contains the following and is in a form prescribed by the director:

(a) the owner-operator's name and address;

(b) a description of the permanent amusement ride, including the manufacturer's name, serial number, and model number;

(d) the first date on which the owner-operator intends to operate the permanent amusement ride for use by the public;

(e) proof of compliance with insurance requirements as described in Subsection R920-60-6(6) Insurance;

(f) a safety inspection certification in a form approved by the director, signed by a qualified safety inspector dated no more than 30 days before the day on which the owner-operator applies for an annual permit; and

(g) a fee established by the committee.

(4) Multi Ride Annual Permit. For each amusement ride located at an amusement park that employs more than 1,000 individuals in a calendar year, the owner-operator shall submit an application to the director that contains the following and is in a form prescribed by the director:

(a) the amusement park's name and address;

(b) a list of each amusement ride located at the amusement park, including a description of each amusement ride;

(d) proof of compliance with insurance requirements as described in Subsection R920-60-6(6) Insurance;

(e) safety inspection certification in a form approved by the director, signed by a qualified safety inspector dated no more than 30 days before the day on which the owner-operator submits the application for an annual permit; and

(f) a fee established by the committee.

(5) Permit Fees.

(a) Annual Permit:

(i) Kiddie Ride: $100; or

(ii) Non-Kiddie Ride: $100.

(b) Multi-Ride Annual Permit. For each amusement ride located at an amusement park that employs more than 1,000 individuals in a calendar year:

(i) Kiddie Ride: $100; or

(ii) Non-Kiddie Ride: $100.

(6) Insurance. Amusement ride owner-operators shall be covered by liability insurance in not less than the following minimum amounts:

(a) Owner-operators with 1,000 employees or fewer:

(i) $1,000,000 for bodily injury per occurrence;

(ii) $250,000 for property damage per occurrence; and

(iii) $3,000,000 annual aggregate limit.

(b) Owner-operators with more than 1,000 employees:

(i) $5,000,000 for bodily injury per occurrence:

(ii) $1,000,000 for property damage per occurrence; and

(iii) $10,000,000 annual aggregate limit.

(c) An owner-operator or amusement park must maintain proof of insurance covering each amusement ride and make the documentation available to the director upon request.

(7) Issuance of Annual Permit. If the director provides written notice of deficiency in the application, the director will provide the annual permit or a written denial within a reasonable amount of time.

R920-60-7. Safety Inspection Certification.

(1) Daily Inspection. Each day an amusement ride is to be operated for the public, the owner-operator, or the owner-operator's designee, shall conduct a daily documented and signed pre-opening inspection, based upon provided instructions, to verify the proper operation of the amusement ride. Daily pre-opening inspections shall be consistent with the inspection program

requirements outlined in practices ASTM F770-22 Sections 7.1 and 7.2, or the other applicable standards in Section R920-60-9. A record of each daily inspection shall be maintained for at least one year after the day on which the inspection is performed.

(2) Inspection for Annual Permit Application. Each amusement ride intending to operate in the state must be inspected by a qualified safety inspector no more than 30 days before the submittal of the application for an Annual Permit in the state. Upon successfully completing the inspection, the qualified safety inspector shall provide the owner-operator with a certificate of inspection in a form approved by the director for submission with the application for an annual permit.

R920-60-8. Qualified Safety Inspector Requirements.

(1) Certification Requirements. To obtain a qualified safety inspector certification from the director, the applicant shall submit an application and fee as established by the committee, which must include the following information that demonstrates the applicant:

(a)(i) is a professional engineer, licensed under Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act; or

(ii)(A) is an engineer with a comparable license from another state as determined by the committee; and

(B) has at least three years of experience in the amusement ride industry, at least two of which include inspection of amusement rides for an owner-operator, manufacturer, government agency, amusement park, carnival, or insurer; or

(b)(i) has at least three years of experience inspecting amusement rides for an owner-operator, manufacturer, government agency, amusement park, carnival, or insurer; and

(ii) has obtained and maintains at least a current Level II NAARSO, Level II or AIMS international certification; or

(c)(i) has at least three years of experience inspecting amusement rides for an owner-operator, manufacturer, government agency, amusement park, carnival, or insurer; and

(ii) is a member of and actively participates in an entity that develops standards applicable to the operation of amusement rides; and

(iii)(A) is employed by an amusement park that employs more than 1,000 individuals in a calendar year; or

(B) the individual is an employee or authorized agent of an insurance company.

(2) The director may deny, suspend, or revoke a qualified safety inspector certification if an individual fails to satisfy a requirement of this rule.

(3) A qualified safety inspector shall pay the following Registration Fees:

(a) initial application fee of $50; or

(b) renewal fee, every two years of $40.

(4) A qualified safety inspector shall:

(a) maintain insurance in not less than the following minimum amounts:

(i) $1,000,000 bodily injury;

(ii) $250,000 property damage; and

(iii) $2,000,000 aggregate; and

(b) maintain proof of insurance and make the documentation available to the director upon request.

(5) Certification Renewal. To obtain a renewal of a qualified safety inspector certification, a qualified safety inspector shall submit to the director a fee established by the committee and a renewal application that demonstrates that the qualified safety inspector:

(a) satisfies the requirements described in Subsection R920-60-8(1); and

(b) during the previous two-year period, completed at least 12 hours of continuing education instruction provided by:

(i) a nationally recognized amusement industry organization;

(ii) a nationally recognized organization in a relevant technical field;

(iii) an owner-operator, through an owner-operator-run safety program approved by the committee; or

(iv) an amusement park that employs more than 1,000 individuals in a calendar year.

(6) Certification Issuance. The director shall issue a qualified safety inspector certification to each individual who submits an application or a renewal application in a form prescribed by the director and complies with the requirements of this section and any applicable rules and fees.

(7) Certification expiration. A qualified safety inspector certification expires two years after the day on which the director issues the qualified inspector certification.

(8) Suspension or Revocation of Certification. The director shall notify a qualified safety inspector of the suspension of a certification. The director may suspend the certification of a qualified safety inspector with intent to revoke for the following reasons:

(a) the qualified safety inspector has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a crime related to the performance of amusement ride safety inspections in any court in the United States;

(b) the qualified safety inspector has engaged in criminal conduct related to the performance of an amusement ride safety inspection;

(c) the qualified safety inspector has engaged in criminal conduct related to the performance of an amusement ride safety inspection;

(d) the qualified safety inspector has demonstrated willful wrongdoing that reflects a lack of integrity in certification as a qualified safety inspector or Inspection of an amusement ride;

(e) the qualified safety inspector has been suspended as a qualified safety inspector in another state;

(f) The qualified safety inspector has performed previous or current work in an unsatisfactory manner as determined by the director;

(g) failure of the qualified safety inspector to observe the owner or operator of an amusement ride facility's safety practices and policies; and

(h) the director reasonably believes and finds that the public health, welfare, or safety requires suspension.

(9) The qualified safety inspector may not perform inspections of amusement rides during a suspension of their certification.

(10) Right to Appeal. Upon notification of suspension, the qualified safety inspector has 30 days to appeal to the director. The director will promptly schedule a hearing with the Amusement Ride Safety Committee to hear the appeal. The committee may choose to uphold the suspension and revoke the certificate or return the qualified safety inspector to good standing. The committee shall determine the length of the revocation and notify the qualified safety inspector in writing. If the qualified safety inspector chooses not to appeal within the stated time frame, the director may issue the certificate's written revocation.

R920-60-9. Rider Responsibility.

Section 78B-4-507 governs rider responsibility.

R920-60-10. Reporting of Injuries.

(1) Reporting of Injuries. As defined in Section 72-16-102, every reportable serious injury must be reported to the director within eight hours after the owner-operator learns of the reportable serious injury. The report to the director must include the following information:

(a) the owner-operator's name and contact information;

(b) the location of the amusement ride if reportable serious injury occurred;

(d) a description of the nature of the reportable serious injury; and

(e) other information required by this rule.

(2) In addition to the report to the director required by Subsection R920-60-10(1), an owner-operator of a mobile amusement ride shall report each known reportable serious injury and serious injury to the fair, show, landlord, or owner of the property upon which the mobile amusement ride was located when reportable serious injury or serious injury occurred.

(3) After a reportable serious injury, the owner-operator may not operate the mobile amusement ride until the owner-operator receives written authorization from the director.

R920-60-11. Modification of an Amusement Ride.

(1) The owner-operator shall inform the qualified safety inspector at the time of the inspection if an amusement ride has undergone a major modification.

(2) The qualified safety inspector shall state on the certificate of inspection if an amusement ride has undergone a major modification.

R920-60-12. Penalty for Violation.

(1) If an owner-operator or operator violates this rule concerning an amusement ride, the director may:

(a) deny, suspend, or revoke, in whole or in part, the owner-operator's annual amusement ride permit or multi-ride permit for the amusement ride;

(b) impose fines or administrative penalties per this rule; or

(2) The director may file an action in district court to enjoin the operation of an amusement ride if the director finds that an owner-operator has violated this rule.

(3) If the director finds an owner-operator has violated this rule, the director may issue a citation according to the following schedule, maximum by type of violation:

(a) Operating an amusement ride without a current permit, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,000.

(b) Owner-operator fails to notify the director of intent to operate within the state;

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,000.

(c) Operating an amusement ride without proper liability insurance, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,000.

(d) Operating an amusement ride without current safety inspection certification, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,000.

(e) Operating an amusement ride in violation of a cease-and-desist order, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $1,000; or

(ii) for a second offense, $2,500.

(f) Failing to report a reportable injury to the director within eight hours after the owner-operator learns of the reportable serious injury, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of;

(i) for a first offense, $1,000; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,500.

(g) Operating an amusement ride by an unqualified person, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,000.

(h) Failing to maintain records of an amusement ride following this rule:

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,000.

(i) Failing to report a serious physical injury to a fair, show, landlord, or property owner, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $500; or

(ii) for a second offense, $750.

(j) Failing to update operation locations with the director before operating, the director may issue a citation per violation, per amusement ride, per day of:

(i) for a first offense, $250; or

(ii) for a second offense, $500.

(k) Falsifying an application to the director:

(i) for a first offense, $1,000; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,500.

(l) Denying the director access to an amusement ride:

(i) for a first offense, $1,000; or

(ii) for a second offense, $1,500.

(m) Other violations of Title 72, Chapter 16, Amusement Ride Safety Act or this rule not listed:

(i) for a first offense, Warning; or

(ii) for a second offense, $250.

(4) The director will not renew an annual permit if the owner-operator has unresolved outstanding violations or unpaid fines.

R920-60-13. Right to Appeal.

(1) In the event of a penalty for a violation under Section R920-60-12, the Department shall issue a notice of agency action to the owner-operator in accordance with Section R907-1-4.

(2) The Department, including the Amusement Ride Safety Committee, and the owner-operator shall follow the procedures set forth in Rule R907-1 Agency Actions, Administrative Procedures to initiate, conduct, review, and appeal agency actions.

KEY: transportation safety, amusement ride, amusement ride permit, amusement ride penalty

Date of Last Change: September 10, 2025

Notice of Continuation: January 8, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 72-16-203