Event planning company fined for installing amusement rides without permits

REOFFENDED AT PICNIC EVENT

Despite this, BCA was informed on Mar 11, 2023, that the company had installed and operated amusement rides at the Families for Life Picnic event at Gardens by the Bay without valid installation and operating permits.

The event was a full-day event organised by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

BCA officers visited the site that same day and found that the company had installed and operated a ride known as “electric go karts”.

Before the event, none of the company’s workers attended any training, courses or briefings for the safe installation or operation of amusement rides. They also did not conduct any checks on the need for permits to install and operate the rides.

In addition, the Carnival Fair did not engage any external assessors to supervise and review the safety standards of the go-kart ride. All its safety checks were performed in-house.

The prosecution had sought a fine of S$58,500 to S$67,500 for the company, noting that the second offence was more aggravated as the company had already been issued a conditional warning for the first offence.

There was also a significant element of potential harm, particularly given that the regulatory framework exists precisely to prevent safety incidents through mandatory professional oversight and certification, said the prosecutor.

Both rides were operated at widely attended public events which catered to children and families.

As the company did not engage any external assessors to supervise and review the safety standards of the rides, the safety of the many patrons hung upon “the thin thread” of the company’s own in-house safety checks, said the prosecutor.

Principal District Judge Victor Yeo said that offences which affect public safety cannot and will not be tolerated.

He noted the escalation in non-compliance by the company, and said he did not give much weight to the defence’s submission that the second contravention was based on the mistaken belief that the go-kart ride was an exempted one.

“One would have thought that with a conditional warning issued for the first offence, the accused would be careful not to repeat the conduct involving a different ride type, and it should have been clear to the accused to at least make enquiries with BCA before installing the ride,” said the judge.

“In my view, this demonstrates either a wilful disregard on the part of the accused, or worse – a systemic compliance failure.”

However, he accepted the genuine remorse and allowed the company to pay the fine in instalments.

The penalties for installing an amusement ride without authorisation by a valid installation permit are a maximum fine of S$200,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.