Magical Midways Inc. has been fined $30,000 after pleading guilty to violating Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Act, following a 2022 ride incident at the Campbellford Fair that left three people with minor injuries.
The incident involved the Tilt-A-Whirl amusement ride, where one of the cars became detached during operation with passengers on board. An investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) determined that Magical Midways had failed to maintain accurate inspection records and did not follow the manufacturer’s required maintenance procedures.
According to TSSA, the employee responsible for inspecting the ride had used a simplified checklist that omitted critical safety checks. The logbook contained no documentation of inspections on the ride’s pivot pin fasteners, a failure that directly led to the detachment.
The Ontario Court imposed a $30,000 fine and a 25% victim surcharge on the company. TSSA Director AJ Kadirgamar said the incident shows how crucial it is for operators to perform and document proper maintenance.
TSSA’s 2024 Public Safety Report highlights maintenance and record-keeping failures as a leading cause of non-compliance in the amusement device industry. Nearly 8% of all orders issued during inspections last year were due to improper or undocumented maintenance by certified mechanics.
The regulator is reminding all operators that proper documentation and routine safety checks are vital to protecting riders and avoiding future incidents.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
