Insurance World

The amusement ride operator/attendant has full control on most rides and must be proactive and capable of reacting quickly to situations as they arise.

The safety record of the amusement ride industry has greatly improved as a result of inspections, ride maintenance, safe operations and better ride designs, and ride operators/attendants play an important role in maintaining amusement ride safety.

Most countries have occupational health and safety legislation designed to protect the health and safety of workers and the public. Herein is a discussion of the role that amusement ride operators/attendants play in maintaining the highest possible level of safety on the rides on which they work.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should work safely, get as much training as possible in the safe operation of the equipment they are working with and stay alert to prevent safety hazards.
Amusement ride operators/attendants should not engage in any unsafe activities such as horse-play, showing off, or any unseemly behavior while on the job.

Every amusement ride operator/attendant is responsible for on-the-job safety. They are responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of other employees and that of the general public.

Here are some basic rules for a safe workplace that amusement ride operators/attendants should follow:

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Be sure that you know and obey all safety rules and procedures

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Keep your surroundings neat, clean and free of hazards

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Immediately report hazardous situations that might result in an accident

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Complete the inspection checklists prior to operating the ride

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Develop safe work habits and participate in safety training

In addition, there are a number of workplace hazards for which amusement ride operators/attendants should be on the look-out and attend to at once:

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Anything that can cause someone to trip

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Anything that can cause someone to bump their head

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Anything that can cause someone to get a splinter

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Anything that can cause someone to fall

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Anything that can cause someone to get a cut

Amusement ride operators/attendants must work in accordance with the Health and Safety legislation in affect in their area. They must also follow their employer’s policies and safety procedures. They should also be sure not to work when they are tired. Breaks should be taken away from the ride in order to enable the amusement ride operators/attendants to properly relax so that they may return to work refreshed and rested.

It is of the utmost importance that amusement ride operators/attendants be totally familiar with the rides that they are operating. They should observe how the ride operates, and the motions involved in their operation until they understand them completely.

Every ride has a safety zone, which is the area from which the ride is operated. This safety zone is usually designated by the manufacturer or owner of the ride, and should be clearly defined and fenced off, in such a way as to be easily identified by the riders. The safety zone should also be an area that is easily controlled by the amusement ride operators/attendants. The safety zone is for the personal safety of the amusement ride operators/attendants while the ride is in motion, and should never be left while the ride is in motion, or before it has come to a full stop.

The safety of the amusement ride operators/attendants and that of their riders is equally important. Unsafe riding practices are the major cause of incidents on all types of rides.
Rider responsibility should be encouraged, and the amusement ride operators/attendants can play an important role in this. Safety instructions should be clearly posted at the entrance to the ride and the amusement ride operators/attendants should strictly enforce all of them.

It is especially important to reach out to the parents of young children and to enlist their help and support in promoting safe riding practices and in enforcing all safety instructions.

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Be alert to unsafe conditions that could cause trips or falls on the ride platform or steps

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Be alert to unsafe conditions that could cause injury

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Always check that seat belts or safety restraints are fastened and locked in place before the ride starts

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Be careful not to close the door or restraint on any part of the rider’s body while the riders are getting on or off of the ride

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If there is even a suspicion that a rider is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they should not be allowed them

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Remind riders to follow the posted rules for the ride regarding age, height and/or weight restrictions

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Be sure to alert pregnant women and people with heart conditions to possible risks involved in using the ride

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Remind riders to keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times

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Remind riders to remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop

If there are any problems with a rider or parent because of ride restrictions or behavior, amusement ride operators/attendants should not operate the ride. They should stop the ride if in motion and only resume operation after the problem has been settled.
Amusement ride operators/attendants should always report all safety-related matters to their immediate supervisor, the insurance company and local safety authorities. They should also update the ride manufacturer and consult with them.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should never leave the ride while it is operating.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should watch the ride and riders at all times while it is operating.
Remembering and following these rules while operating amusement rides will significantly increase the chances of a safe and enjoyable time for everyone, riders and operators/attendants alike, while lessening the prospect of stricter insurance terms and licensing requirements for the amusement ride hirers/operators.

These complicated financial products combine life insurance and investment growth in one package. They were most commonly used as a way of repaying a mortgage and were most popular with homebuyers in the eighties and nineties.

The reason so many people bought them was because home loan firms and middlemen such as estate agents earned large commissions for selling. The charges tend to be ‘front-loaded’ meaning most of it is paid up front and therefore, for several years you will receive little if anything back if you have to stop paying the premiums.

In theory, these policies can grow to more than you need to repay your mortgage, giving you a bonus to spend on anything you like. In practice, this has rarely happened in recent years and of the 8.5 million endowments in 2004, 6.8 million were not expected to clear the mortgage they were originally intended to pay off.

With an endowment mortgage, you do not repay any of the capital you borrow during the term of the loan. Alternatively, the endowment policy should grow to produce a lump sum which is large enough to repay the loan in full at the end of the pre-agreed period of, normally, 25 years.

The monthly payments consist of interest on your mortgage loan and the premium for the endowment. Within the package you also pay for life insurance which will repay the loan should you die. However, there is no guarantee your endowment will pay off your mortgage.

When the time comes to making a decision on stopping an endowment and surrendering it, it is important to check your policy and make sure there is some value in doing so.

Early redemption can result in making less than you would have if it carried on for its full term. However, if you need the money, this could be our only solution.

Continuing to pay money into a poorly performing investment could be throwing away hard earned cash.

As well as surrendering it back to the company from whom it was bought from, policyholders also have the option of selling to a third party.

This can also have the added benefit of getting more for your policy than you would if it were sold back to the original issuer.

Different companies will have different requirements when it comes to them buying your endowment.

Usually they would require it to be with-profits or a with-profits whole life policy and have been running for a minimum number of years (the number of depending on the company).

Some will also require a surrender value of at least Ј1,500. If your policy does not meet the criteria, they will not be able to handle your sale. This would mean the only other option available is what the policy issuer will offer.

The Association of Policy Market Makers (APMM) is the industry body for firms specialising in the buying and selling of endowments. An independent financial advisor could also be helpful in comparing offers and helping you get the most for your policy.

There will be a fee for the work, but it could save you time and energy and also help you achieve the best possible price.

Don’t forget how important your endowment policy is. Like with an investment, you should not suddenly cancel the policy without doing the appropriate research and taking the adequate financial advice.

If you stop payments on a policy, you may lose any life assurance cover that was offered to you. This is an important consideration for your dependents if you are then taken ill or were to die without having set up an alternative method of paying off the policy.

On average around half of the total payout on an endowment if you don’t sell will come on the very last day. This is the so-called terminal bonus and it is not guaranteed. Stop paying in before then and you are likely to lose this. Instead, you will get the benefit of only the annual bonuses added to your policy.