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Working at an amusement park or arcade ranks 12th among the most hazardous occupations, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
At least three amusement ride employees have died in ride-related accidents in Wisconsin in the past 10 years, according to OSHA.
In 2005, a 54-year old carnival worker fell to his death while setting up a bumper car ride at the Wisconsin State Fair. In 2001, a 27-year old carnival worker died from head and spinal injuries while dismantling a chair plane ride after a carnival in the town of Dane. And in 1999, a carnival worker was electrocuted while working on the Avalanche, owned by Calkins Midways, at the Langlade County Fair.
Calkins owner Chuck Waterman said the ride industry is safe for workers and riders. He said circumstances are only dangerous if someone is not paying attention.
In the 1999 accident, the operator left the electrical box open and then fell into it, he said. “He had been told not to leave boxes open.”
Among 24 reported accidents in the state since 2004 that required trips to the hospital, three involved employees, state records show.
A ride operator with Waupaca-based Tip Top Shows, Lao Yang, said he’s been working at carnivals for 15 years. He said he’s never been injured. He regularly climbs up 60 feet to the center point of the show’s Ferris wheel, which he is responsible for setting up and taking down.
“You gotta not be afraid of heights to climb up there,” he said. “There’s no danger to it.”
