131 replies to this topic
Posted 2008-10-24 02:51:41
 Journalist, on 2008-01-21 09:54:47, said:
The moral of this story is then "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys"
Hi all....just came across this forum and this waterslide accident story. I have over 25 years experience in the manufacture, installation, inspection and repair of waterslides. I am also a regular visitor to Thailand. This type of accident could have happened anywhere in the world and judging by the photos posted here of the fractured g.r.p ride section there may have been little or no outward signs that the slide could split open at any time. Yes, regular inspection may have picked this up and prevented what happened, however, the person carrying out the inspection would have to be extremely diligent. Generally speaking, if this same slide had been in the UK and inspected daily prior to use by a life guard (as is standard) would they have spotted a hair line crack that was about to turn into a major fracture? 99 times out of 100...no they would not!!
I have seen slides that have just 'opened up' like this one. So what causes it? Well there are many factors that contribute to this, one of the main ones is manufacture quality (slide not made in Thailand I hear), a well engineered slide will withstand the stresses and strains that all waterslides are subjected to. This slide has fractured on the ride path (left hand bend, people ride on the right). The number of people on the slide at any one time will also make a difference. But again if the slide is manufactured to a high specification the chances of this type of accident occurring is minimal. Installation quality is also very important along with regular maintenance and inspection.
Ah maintenance and inspection I hear you say, thats were the Thai people fall short.....well when it comes to waterslides so do we. I have seen waterslides that are 'inspected' daily prior to use with fractures that you can see straight through. Stair cases that are so rusty with one wrong move you would slice your foot open and this is all in our health & safety, risk assessment, safe operation & blame society. I recall speaking to a life guard who had just finished a slide inspection and on exiting the slide I ask her what she was looking for in her inspection " I have no idea" came the reply. This is not uncommon right here in the UK.
I appreciate that this forum has talked about safety generally in Thailand has lots of room for improvement but when it comes to waterslides you dont have to look further than the UK to find low standards.
Posted 2008-10-24 05:38:59
getithere328, on 2008-10-24 02:51:41, said: Journalist, on 2008-01-21 09:54:47, said: The moral of this story is then "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys"
Hi all....just came across this forum and this waterslide accident story. I have over 25 years experience in the manufacture, installation, inspection and repair of waterslides. I am also a regular visitor to Thailand. This type of accident could have happened anywhere in the world and judging by the photos posted here of the fractured g.r.p ride section there may have been little or no outward signs that the slide could split open at any time. Yes, regular inspection may have picked this up and prevented what happened, however, the person carrying out the inspection would have to be extremely diligent. Generally speaking, if this same slide had been in the UK and inspected daily prior to use by a life guard (as is standard) would they have spotted a hair line crack that was about to turn into a major fracture? 99 times out of 100...no they would not!!
I have seen slides that have just 'opened up' like this one. So what causes it? Well there are many factors that contribute to this, one of the main ones is manufacture quality (slide not made in Thailand I hear), a well engineered slide will withstand the stresses and strains that all waterslides are subjected to. This slide has fractured on the ride path (left hand bend, people ride on the right). The number of people on the slide at any one time will also make a difference. But again if the slide is manufactured to a high specification the chances of this type of accident occurring is minimal. Installation quality is also very important along with regular maintenance and inspection.
Ah maintenance and inspection I hear you say, thats were the Thai people fall short.....well when it comes to waterslides so do we. I have seen waterslides that are 'inspected' daily prior to use with fractures that you can see straight through. Stair cases that are so rusty with one wrong move you would slice your foot open and this is all in our health & safety, risk assessment, safe operation & blame society. I recall speaking to a life guard who had just finished a slide inspection and on exiting the slide I ask her what she was looking for in her inspection " I have no idea" came the reply. This is not uncommon right here in the UK.
I appreciate that this forum has talked about safety generally in Thailand has lots of room for improvement but when it comes to waterslides you dont have to look further than the UK to find low standards.
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interesting post - particularly as it's from someone with hands-on authority on the subject - and someone who's not so quick to blame Thais for things that go wrong here (as I do sometimes).
What can be done to improve the over-all scenario? .....try to get those who are involved with such things - more aware of potential pitfalls. More specifically: people who are in charge of recreational facilities should be trained and apprised of the responsibilities involved - particularly if there are kids involved. This can apply to school facilities as well as recreational facilities in parks - and beyond.
Example: there's a parking spot in my Thai town, in front of a nursing school, with a 2.5 meter straight-down slope to a ditch, with nothing guarding the drop-off place - not even a board or a piece of concrete. If I were doing inspections of safety hazards, I could find many things - most of which would be cheap to fix. However, when pointing out such safety lapses to Thais, the standard response is, "mai pen rai" along with a grin and shrug of the shoulders. (oops, there I go again, blaming Thai folks).
also; the date of 'Journalist's' post reads 2008-01-21. shouldn't it actually read 2008-10-21 ?
Posted 2008-10-24 06:52:16
thaigene2, on 2008-01-13 14:56:18, said: sriracha john, on 2008-01-13 14:42:31, said: Other dilapidated joints waiting for their turn to give way...
Manager online
Thanks for the photos. Pretty clear the thing is starting to rust apart and hasn't been maintained. That ought to shut up the appologists for a while (or maybe not). Be interesting to see if they'll actually take it apart and fix it - or just use the 15 days to paint over the rust.
What's with the paint thing ? Have you not been told today ? DUCT TAPE fixes EVRYTHING .
Posted 2009-02-28 20:11:04
I know it's over a year since this accident.
It is interesting to note there has been nothing in the press about the owner being charged by the police. Neither has there been anything about the owner following through on his promise to sell the park.
Posted 2009-02-28 20:32:08
Briggsy, on 2009-02-28 20:11:04, said: I know it's over a year since this accident.
It is interesting to note there has been nothing in the press about the owner being charged by the police. Neither has there been anything about the owner following through on his promise to sell the park.
I remember reading that the owner tried to sell it, but couldn't find anyone to buy it (at the price he thought it was worth). I haven't seen anything else on this.
Posted 2009-03-01 02:57:01
Briggsy, on 2009-02-28 20:11:04, said: I know it's over a year since this accident.
Anybody been there recently?
Is it still another incident (I'll avoid the use of "accident" as I don't consider last's year incident as an accident) waiting to happen or have things been fixed?
Posted 2009-03-01 09:01:41
sriracha john, on 2009-03-01 02:57:01, said: Briggsy, on 2009-02-28 20:11:04, said: I know it's over a year since this accident.
Anybody been there recently?
Is it still another incident (I'll avoid the use of "accident" as I don't consider last's year incident as an accident) waiting to happen or have things been fixed?
Everyone I know who has kids (including myself) has made this venue a no go. Best to avoid this place. There have been no indications in the press that the owner has gone on an upgrade spree. If he had, he would have publicized it to the hilt, instead it appears he thinks no news is good news. Maybe for him, but not for us.
Until I hear differently, Dream World and Safari Park will be the amusement parks locally that I will take my kid to.
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