Midway operators take the extra steps to make sure rides are safe

MUSCLE SHOALS - The music blares and bright lights flash and sparkle as people line up at their favorite attraction.

Whether it's the Ferris wheel, roller coaster, scrambler or the Himalayan, people young and old board the attractions to experience the thrill of the fast-paced action.

And visitors to the 2007 North Alabama State Fair have a chance to enjoy more than 30 rides.

Before any of the rides are operational, each is inspected for safety.

"The last thing we want to do is jeopardize someone's safety," said Corky Jones, unit manager for W.G. Wade Shows, which runs the midway shows at the fair.

"Safety is No. 1 with us. None of us could live with ourselves if we knew we were putting someone in danger," said Jeff Williams, a marketing and public relations official with the company.

Williams said every ride in the company has been inspected by an engineer.

Jones said the company takes safety even further.

"We do daily inspections before we open any ride and if something is not up to par, that ride is not opened until it is repaired or brought up to code," he said.

"Every inspection is documented. We keep a record of everything that is done to the equipment," added John Ketcham, concession manger for Wade Shows.

Ketcham said the company follows safety standards set by ASTM International, which provides safety guidelines for various industry.

Jones said Wade Shows' insurance carrier also provides an inspector who oversees the rides, installation and operation.

"The company goes one step further in that an independent third-party inspector is hired to come in and do periodic unannounced checks on the equipment," Jones said. "We do all we can to make sure everything is as safe as possible."

Jones said ride operators are well trained to run the equipment.

"We have seminars routinely, and we have handbooks that they are required to go by. Plus, we have supervisors who watch the employees to make sure everything is running smoothly and the operators are doing what they're supposed to," Jones said.

He said the company has a very strict drug-testing policy as well as a dress code and hair code.

"We have a good reputation, and we're trying to do everything we can to maintain that reputation," he said.

Norman Ross, manager of the North Alabama State Fair, said the fair has had a long and healthy relationship with Wade Shows.

"We've been very pleased with Wade Shows. They have been in the business for a long time, and they have a reputation for doing everything humanly possible to provide good safe entertainment," Ross said.

Jones, who grew up in the business, said it's not only important to the public to know the safety measures that the company goes through, but also the employees.

"This is our living and we do all we can to make sure everything is safe," Jones said. ""We never open a ride, if it is unsafe. We're not going to take a chance with someone's safety, It's just that simple."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.