Ian
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Dizz, Bobby’s Yarn Land
If every time anything like this was to happen with H&S then surely all passenger trains and buses would be fitted with seatbelts by now? They could do just as much, if not more damage when stopping quickly and it could easily be argued that such an incident is far more likely on both of those than on the Monorail.
As much as we all love to rant about it Health & Safety isn't so strict to that point things happen for every little incident. Look at the Mine Train incident! What happened as a result? The speed was reduced and a simple cable was added between the cars as a failsafe. If seatbelts need to be fitted to the Monorail then will they be applied to all other existing models? If it can happen to one that it warrants seatbelts surely it can just as easily happen to another?
If this was a repeat incident then I would be more inclined to agree with the suggestion Tom, but this is the first serious problem I can recall the ride having which has resulted in injured guests. If it was not down to an e-stop and was as has been suggested debris on the rail then it can be put down to a one off, and the ride's safety record will no doubt reflect that. Health and Safety may simply suggest that Alton inspect the track more frequently to ensure it is clean, and possibly make recommendations such as installing a guard on each train to prevent debris from passing under the train. If it's an e-stop they may just suggest that the park have the ride computers modified to tone down the stopping force on the ride. Adding seatbelts would be a big jump over an accident which, thus far, has little evidence to suggest a repeat incident.
Another prime example of how minor modifications can be made to rides. Someone recently had their arm trapped in an Intamin OTSR which resulted in quite a bad injury. So did H&S jump to the idea that all the restraints needed modifying and guards installing? No. As it never usually poses a serious threat all they did was place stickers on each train telling riders not to place their hands in the area (These can be seen on the sides of Rita's backrests if you want to see them).
B&M had a similar issue with people trapping fingers and hurting them quite badly in their Inverted coaster OTSRs. The solution once again was just a sticker and a guard fitted on request, but no mandatory. If it happens again then the guards might be made compulsory, but until then the problem has no reoccured.
Like I said early, yes H&S can be annoying and make seemingly stupid and random decisions from time to time, but they really aren't as strict and airtight as we sometimes believe. They will take into account the fact the Monorail has been operating for 25 years and look at if this has ever been a problem before, and if so what caused it. If this is the first time it has ever happened and it was down to a freak incident they will more than likely make a simple recommendation and probably suggest minor modification. I can't see seatbelts being installed unless it either happens again or there is a high risk of it happening again.
As much as we all love to rant about it Health & Safety isn't so strict to that point things happen for every little incident. Look at the Mine Train incident! What happened as a result? The speed was reduced and a simple cable was added between the cars as a failsafe. If seatbelts need to be fitted to the Monorail then will they be applied to all other existing models? If it can happen to one that it warrants seatbelts surely it can just as easily happen to another?
If this was a repeat incident then I would be more inclined to agree with the suggestion Tom, but this is the first serious problem I can recall the ride having which has resulted in injured guests. If it was not down to an e-stop and was as has been suggested debris on the rail then it can be put down to a one off, and the ride's safety record will no doubt reflect that. Health and Safety may simply suggest that Alton inspect the track more frequently to ensure it is clean, and possibly make recommendations such as installing a guard on each train to prevent debris from passing under the train. If it's an e-stop they may just suggest that the park have the ride computers modified to tone down the stopping force on the ride. Adding seatbelts would be a big jump over an accident which, thus far, has little evidence to suggest a repeat incident.
Another prime example of how minor modifications can be made to rides. Someone recently had their arm trapped in an Intamin OTSR which resulted in quite a bad injury. So did H&S jump to the idea that all the restraints needed modifying and guards installing? No. As it never usually poses a serious threat all they did was place stickers on each train telling riders not to place their hands in the area (These can be seen on the sides of Rita's backrests if you want to see them).
B&M had a similar issue with people trapping fingers and hurting them quite badly in their Inverted coaster OTSRs. The solution once again was just a sticker and a guard fitted on request, but no mandatory. If it happens again then the guards might be made compulsory, but until then the problem has no reoccured.
Like I said early, yes H&S can be annoying and make seemingly stupid and random decisions from time to time, but they really aren't as strict and airtight as we sometimes believe. They will take into account the fact the Monorail has been operating for 25 years and look at if this has ever been a problem before, and if so what caused it. If this is the first time it has ever happened and it was down to a freak incident they will more than likely make a simple recommendation and probably suggest minor modification. I can't see seatbelts being installed unless it either happens again or there is a high risk of it happening again.
