
Risk assessment and RISK reduction in the new FprEN 13814-1:2018. Part 2
20 December 2018/ by Gianni Chiari /
Gianni Chiari continues his article on risk assessment in rides.

Part 2 – Go to Part 1
In most cases, the experience of the professionals who make up the risk assessment team plays a fundamental role in the quality of the end result. We need to use the term “team”, as multidisciplinary expertise is required that individuals rarely possess, no matter how good they are.

In amusement park rides, this is particularly important, as a lot of technical fields are involved. A ride is a complex, high-tech product with close interaction between workers (i.e. operators), riders and the public. A ride almost always combines a significant mechanical part with large structures, an electrical part and an equally important control system. Ergonomic skills and knowledge of the impact of the ride’s movements on the human body are also needed. Primarily these involve the speed and acceleration imparted on the passenger’s body. During the operation of a ride, passengers experience changes in blood pressure and even small movements of some internal organs. In addition to this, is the excitement the ride creates among passengers. As well as these normal situations, emergency situations must not be forgotten or underestimated; these often involve special risks for both workers and the public and the riders themselves.
KEY DEFINITIONS (taken from FprEN 13814-1:2018*)
5.1.2.2 Design Risk Assessment (DRA) This is a document that shall be produced by the designer of every amusement device. The design risk assessment shall be used to guide the designer into making the correct decisions in the total design ethos (e.g. material selection, PLC program, ergonomic characteristics, etc.) so that an acceptable level of risk resides (residual risk) from each design decision. Although not an operation and use risk assessment (OURA), the DRA shall be used to guide the structure and content of the operating and maintenance procedures (for operating procedures, see FprEN 13814-2:2018, 4.3.4.4.3, 4.3.4.4.4, 4.7).
5.1.2.3 Operation and Use Risk Assessment (OURA) This is a document that shall be produced by the controller and operator of every amusement device. The OURA shall be used to guide the operator and controller into making the correct decisions in the total operation ethos (e.g. age/height limit, loading/offloading of passengers, foreseeable misuse, etc.) so that an acceptable level of residual risk from each hazard analysed. It shall be constructed in close consultation with the designer and DRA and shall demonstrate the management of residual risks highlighted in the DRA.
* EN13814: 2018 on the safety of amusement rides and amusement devices – Part 1: Design and manufacture. Note: at the time of publication of this article, the European technical standard ed. 2018 has not yet been published, and is available as the final draft FprEN. The official publication is expected in early 2019.
All of these situations must be analysed in detail, discussed and documented for future reference. Risk assessment is not a static document, but rather is dynamic and constantly evolving. In response to feedback from users, the risk assessment needs to be updated and adapted.
The new European standard EN 13814-1:2018 defines 2 types of risk assessment, or rather, risk assessment is divided into 2 stages. The first occurs during the design stage and is called DRA (Design Risk Assessment), while the second, in the operating stage, is called OURA (Operation and Use Risk Assessment).
It is important to underline the close correlation between these 2 activities. When designing a new ride, it is necessary to foresee and assess all potential hazards, the risks that may derive from these, and the measures needed to eliminate the hazards or reduce the risks. The figure on the previous page helps understand more clearly what we have described so far.
Read the –> Part 3
Taken from Games&Parks Industry December 2018, page 88
Gianni Chiari / Member of CEN/TC 152, ASTM F 24, ISO/TC254 Technical Committees and “Una Giostra per Tutti” project manager. info@technicalservices.it