Amusement Ride Operator and Attendant Manual
Amusement Ride Operator and Attendant Manual
Amusement Ride Operator and Attendant Manual
Manual
for
Amusement Rides & Attractions
Operator Training Manual
Purpose
The purpose of this booklet is to assist ride operators and attendants to do their jobs
in a professional manner. To do so will lead to guests having a safe experience of
amusement, pleasure, fun, excitement, or thrill, as intended through participation in
our amusement rides and/or attractions.
As a ride operator or attendant, you play a KEY ROLE in the success we achieve.
You APPEARANCE, COURTESY, ATTITUDE, and PROFESSIONALISM in
general will have a bearing on whether guests have a pleasant experience here and
whether they will return for other visits in the future.
Guest Relations
In addition to providing our guests with a SMILE, ATTENTIVENESS,
COURTESY and a PLEASING DISPOSITION, we are often called upon to
THINK FOR THEM. It is important to keep in mind that, upon entering our gates,
guests are seeking to leave behind their daily routine, replacing it for a while with a
pleasurable, carefree existence. It is our DUTY to POLITELY but FIRMILY advise
them when they are violating SAFETY RULES.
Environment
Complementing our treatment of guests is the physical environment, which we
provide them. If our guests’ reaction to us is to be positive, we must surround
ourselves with a CLEAN, LITTER- FREE, ENVIORMENT. Moreover, trash, litter,
grease, and oil are SAFETY HAZZARDS when allowed to accumulate in ride areas
or anywhere on the grounds. A part of everyone’s daily routine would be to CLEAN
UP THE ENVIORMENT by PICKING of LITTER and TRASH.
In summary, our philosophy becomes a reality when we bear in mind the equation:
COURTESY+ SAFETY +ATTITUDE + CLEANLINESS = PROFESSIONAL
OPERATION
Of these factors, however there is no question of the foremost importance of one:
“TAKE AN EXTRA STEP FOR SAFETY”
Unusual Situations
The following is a list of unusual situations you may encounter and the procedures
you should follow in these situations.
Mechanical - Although the rides are inspected before each operating day, minor
mechanical difficulties are bound to occur. Should this happen on your ride, immediately
notify your RIDE SUPERVISOR ONLY. The supervisor will inform you as to what
procedure you should follow. The ride should be closed until the problem can be
rectified. If, at any time, you hear any unusual NOISE or the ride does not appear to
OPERATE PROPERLY, CALMLY, UNLOAD THE RIDE, and notify your supervisor
IMMEDIATELY. Notify the guests waiting in line that the ride will be closing
temporarily and will hopefully open again shortly. If you and your Supervisor anticipate a
lengthy wait, please advise guests to return later in the day. Apologize for the
inconvenience.
Weather - Weather conditions can interfere with your ride’s normal operation. Some
rides remain open during inclement weather; however, others must be closed for safety
reasons. Your Ride Supervisor should be aware of storm procedures and inclement
weather operations. If your Ride Supervisor is not immediately available, and you have a
question about continuing your ride operation in the inclement weather, contact your
supervisor before continuing operation. Generally, in heavy storms and heavy rain, all
rides will close temporarily. Wait for clearance according to the ride owner’s policy
before reopening your ride.
Guest Complaints - Some of our guests may have problems or complaints, and you may
be expected to handle these complaints. REMAIN COURTIOUS. Never ARGUE, with
a guest. Attempt to answer the guest’s complaint. If you don’t know the answer, contact
your Supervisor. If the problem cannot be resolved, you should POLITELY, direct the
guest to the office. More often then not, however, a complaint can be resolved simply by
politely listening to the guest.
That old saying, “IF YOU DRINK, DON’T DRIVE” is still true. It is especially true if
you livelihood depends on your ability to OPERATE any MACHINERY. If you are
OPERATING a ride while under the INFLUENCE and have an ACCIDENT, your
troubles are multiplied and could very easily CHANGE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE …
for the worse.
Drugs - Americans use a lot of drugs; many of them are prescribed by physicians. Others
are bought over the drugstore counter. There are medicines for colds, fatigue, tension,
depression and many other conditions. Many of the drugs we take carry a warning that
dizziness, drowsiness or sleepiness may be a side effect. We are warned not to drive a
vehicle or operate machinery if any of these effects are present. Often we don’t read
labels and therefore we don’t know the dangers. Medication can have effects that
severely interfere with your ability to operate a ride.
Operating a ride is a full-time job. You need to be at your best: physically,
mentally, and emotionally. Medications, both non-prescription and prescription, can be
extremely dangerous. You may suffer side effects and therefore become less alert and
less in control of your reflexes than you would be under normal circumstances.
It is especially dangerous to operate a ride when you mix drugs with alcohol or
other drugs. If you take medications for such conditions as nervousness, being
overweight, high blood pressure, hay fever and asthma, and then take only one ounce of
alcohol, the mixture of these can become many times more dangerous. They are
dangerous enough by them selves.
Remember these things when you are getting ready to operate the ride. Don’t
endanger YOUR OWN LIFE and the LIVES OF OTHERS by OPERATING A RIDE
OR ATTRACTION, when you are not at your BEST.
Fatigue - Operating a ride is work. It is tiring. It takes specialized skills. A person must
be in good physical, mental, and emotional condition to be a good operator. Many safety
experts believe that an operator’s mental and emotional state has something to do with
almost every incident.
Most people think of a person being unfit to operate a ride when he or she has been
DRINKING. But fatigue can be just as dangerous to an operator. Extreme fatigue may
lead to a dream state, or moment of dozing at the controls. Operating a ride under these
conditions can be disastrous.
Boredom is common among ride operators, especially on days requiring long hours
of operation. Your senses become dull, your eyes become fixed and you are not alert to
situations around you. You may become “hypnotized” and unable to react. Before you
know it, you can be involved in an incident. Inattention can kill or injure if you’re
operating a ride. It is important to keep your eyes moving – checking every aspect of the
ride. If you feel boredom or fatigue slipping up on you, see if you can take a short break.
At least, walk around and stretch your legs. This could save a life.
Class A Ordinary combustibles, such as fire burning in wood, cloth, paper, and
rubbish, rags, shavings and packing materials.
Class B Flammable liquids and gases, such as fires fueled by gasoline, oil, grease,
paint, and paint thinner, propane and others.
Class D Combustible metal fires, such as those caused by zirconium, lithium and
sodium.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Ride Assignments
Once you have checked in with your Supervisor, please get to your assigned ride
as soon as possible. When you arrive at your assigned ride, begin your PRE-
OPENING INSPECTION. After your inspection, complete the proper
documentation. Clean and tidy up your ride and area.
Property Damage
At times, guests will report damage to articles of clothing or personal property.
In these situations, give your complete attention to the guests and refer them to your
Supervisor.
Grooming and Personal Appearance
To ensure that all employee impressions on our guests are positive, appearance is
important. It is every Supervisor’s responsibility to enforce all policies pertaining to
correct wardrobe attire and to enforce the grooming standard for all employees.
Grooming guidelines for ride operators and ride attendants follow:
HAIR – Hair must be neatly trimmed and well-groomed.
BEARDS AND MUSTACHES – Male employees may wear neatly trimmed beards
and/or mustaches, which MUST be mature at hire date. They should not be grown
during season if you begin working without one.
COSMETICS – All should be conservative regarding amount and color.
JEWLERY – Personal jewelry like rings, watches, necklace, should not worn
around machinery.
Serious Illness or Injury to a Guest of Employee
1. REMAIN CALM – do not move any injured person unless absolutely
necessary.
2. Assist injured persons until FIRST AID arrives.
3. Keep all spectators away from the scene.
4. NEVER DISCUSS THE INCEDENT WITH ANYONE, other than your
SUPERVISOR, or other persons authorized by the company.
5. Never make comments, even in jest, regarding the cause of the accident.
Evacuation
1. In an orderly fashion, direct all persons to the nearest exit.
2. Secure and lock rides.
3. Leave the area immediately. Do not return to get any items.
4. Do no make comments or statements.
5. Follow the directions or management or security.
During Storms
Most summer storms tend to pass quickly. If you must leave your ride for shelter
during the storm, you should return as soon as the bulk of the storm has passed. At
this time, everyone can start to wipe and dry rides, pick up any debris in the ride
area and prepare to open. An operator should never reopen a ride without
receiving clearance from maintenance or the ride supervisor. While you are
drying the rides, DO NOT FORGET about the guests waiting to ride. In a
courteous manner, try to inform them of the probable opening time of the ride.
After the Storm
After an electrical storm with extreme wind and rain, completely check your ride
BEFORE RE-OPENING. If you have any problems contact your supervisor before
putting your ride back in service. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, ASK?
We all want to have fun while working. We must never lose sight, however, of the
fact that we are to do a job – namely to provide each of our guests with the highest
quality of entertainment.
Finishing Touches
1. Always be aware of how your look and appear to our guests. Please do not
slouch prop your feet, or lean; and avoid talking at length or loudly with another
operator about your social concerns.
2. Remember that our guests ALWAYS come first. You may never insult, argue,
be discourteous or use profane language in the presence of our guests.
3. A SMILE is the most important part of your attire. Always smile and maintain
a pleasant speaking voice when asking for cooperation from our guests. You will
find it is much easier when you do not yell or scream.
4. When a ride shuts down, our guests do not need to know the technical
problems, but should be informed of the possible waiting time. Someone from the
ride should stand at the ride entrance to inform the guests and to offer possible
alternatives if the wait will be lengthy. Alternatives would include going to another
ride or show and returning later in the day when they see the ride in operation. It is
always a good idea to overestimate ride downtime rather than to underestimate it.
5. During the day, try to keep the guest waiting area clean as possible by picking
up large cups and paper. This can be done on the way to and from breaks. It makes
for a more pleasant appearance to the ride.
6. If you do not know the answer to a guest’s question or are unable to handle a
situation or resolve a problem, tell the guest you will put him/her in contact with
someone who can.
7. A basic rule to remember is this: PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF OUR
GUESTS, DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE.
Receipt of Ride Operations Manual – Confirmation
Please Read:
I hereby acknowledge that I have received and read a copy of the Ride Operators
Manual. I have agreed to abide by all company rules and regulations contained in
the manual.
DATE______________________________________________________________
EMPLOYEE SIGNITURE_____________________________________________
Your first few days with new responsibilities are extremely important. Feel free to
ask questions regarding anything you are not sure of. Proper training and effective
communications will assist you in doing your job well and feeling positive about it.
Please answer the following questions, as they are indicators of your progress.
Thank You.
Answer Yes or No:
C. Do you feel that you have been given an adequate introduction and training for
your job?