Safety of attractions
Amusement parks and their attractions are a popular place of recreation for many people. To guarantee user safety, it is important that these attractions meet the necessary requirements, particularly amusement rides.
The attractions operator is responsible for the safety of their attractions. They must carry out the necessary checks and make arrangements to avert any risk to the user or the public.
Laws and regulations
The general provisions and safety requirements of the law of 9 February 1994 on the safety of products and services are supplemented by the specific requirements set forth in the Royal Decree of 10 June 2001 regarding the operation of attractions
Operator’s obligations
The complexity of the attractions means that risk analysis, prevention measures, checks and maintenance of attractions must be carried out in a thorough manner, in order to guarantee the safety of the users and the public.
To demonstrate that their attraction complies with safety regulations, the operator must carry out a risk assessment, possibly in collaboration with a third party. This risk assessment allows them to establish preventive measures to apply during the establishment and operation of the attraction.
The operator must establish an inspection and maintenance schedule for each attraction:
- regular checks: daily or weekly;
- maintenance work: monthly or bimonthly;
- periodic inspection by an accredited body: yearly
Warnings and user information must be clearly visible. They should be written in at least the language(s) of the region. Small signs bearing warnings such as ‘Use at your own risk’ are not allowed!
The operator must at all times be able to demonstrate that they comply with all these obligations through reports and/or schedules and documentation.
Notification requirement
Any serious incident or accident must be reported immediately to the central contact point.
A serious accident is a fatality or accident which causes or may cause permanent injury.
A serious incident is an incident which results or may result in a serious accident.
Disputes and complaints
Publications
- Questions et réponses sur l’interprétation de la loi du 9 février 1994
- Réglementation relative à l’exploitation des attractions, AR 10-06-2001
- Critères de fonctionnement et modalités de contrôle du fonctionnement des organismes intervenants, AR 27-04-2007
- Liste des organismes qui peuvent faire des contrôles concernant l'exploitation des attractions
- Sécurité des produits et des services, loi 09-02-1994
Regulation
- Arrêté royal du 27 avril 2007 déterminant les critères de fonctionnement et les modalités de contrôle du fonctionnement des organismes intervenants
- Loi du 9 février 1994 relative à la sécurité des produits et des services
- Arrêté royal du 10 juin 2001 relatif aux attractions
