§ 23-89-510 - Accidents -- Reporting injuries or death -- Investigations. - Arkansas Statutes

23-89-510. Accidents -- Reporting injuries or death -- Investigations.

(a) Any mechanical, structural, or electrical defects directly affecting patron safety for which an amusement ride is closed to patron use for a period of time more than three (3) hours, must be reported in writing personally or by facsimile by the owner or operator to the Department of Labor within twenty-four (24) hours after the closing of the amusement ride.

(b) (1) The operator of an amusement ride shall immediately cease to operate any ride involved in a fatality or serious physical injury. The owner or operator shall notify the department of such an accident within four (4) hours of its occurrence by telephone or facsimile. The owner or operator shall file a written accident report personally or by facsimile with the department within twenty-four (24) hours of the accident. Within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of such a report, the department shall initiate an investigation of the occurrence and an inspection of the ride. The department shall perform the inspection in a manner that proceeds with all practicable speed and minimizes the disruption of the amusement facility at which the amusement ride is located.

(2) Unless authorized in writing by the department, no amusement ride may be operated, moved, altered, repaired, or tampered with, except to protect life, limb, and property following an accident involving a serious injury or death until the department has completed its inspection and investigation.