المملكة: Specialists told Al-Youm: The Abha accident confirms the necessity of developing safety and oversight in entertainment cities
Specialists confirmed that the The fall of an amusement park in the city of Abha reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the safety and technical control system in entertainment cities, stressing that prevention begins from the design, manufacturing and installation stages, and extends to operation, maintenance and continuous inspection, in a way that ensures the protection of lives and limits the recurrence of such accidents.
They explained in their interview with “Al-Youm” that Developing the safety system requires increasing the efficiency of technical control, taking advantage of modern techniques in inspection and maintenance, and strict adherence to regulatory requirements, in addition to enhancing visitors’ awareness of safety guidelines, stressing that the success of entertainment parks is measured by their ability to provide a safe environment before any other considerations.
Integrated safety system
Safety expert, retired Major General Dr. Khalid bin Murashid Al-Otaibi, explained that the technical regulations and legislation governing entertainment parks set precise requirements for safety. Games, starting from the design and manufacturing stages, through installation and operation, include the games’ compliance with the requirements of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, obtaining approved inspection certificates, risk assessment documents, performing periodic maintenance and passing tests before operation, in addition to the commitment of safety officials to their regular tasks.
He stressed that developing the inspection and control system requires raising the efficiency of inspection and maintenance agencies, and expanding their services, with continuous verification of the accuracy of technical reports and the quality of their work.
He added that legislation has defined the responsibilities of all parties, starting from the supplier and operator all the way to inspection bodies, while visitors bear responsibility for adhering to safety guidelines, specific age groups, and using means of protection and safety belts.
Prevention is the basis of safety
The occupational safety and health advisor explained DrThe Abha accident underscores the importance of safety management with a proactive approach based on risk management, rather than just traditional inspection or formal adherence to requirements.
He added that reducing the recurrence of accidents begins with adhering to engineering standards, conducting periodic operational checks, ensuring the readiness of emergency stop systems, and qualifying cadres to deal with emergency situations.
He stressed that developing oversight requires seeking the help of independent technical bodies and benefiting from predictive maintenance techniques. And smart systems for monitoring games, with electronic documentation of inspection and maintenance work to enhance transparency and ease of tracking.
He also stressed the importance of visitors adhering to instructions related to age, height, and health status, and reporting any observations that may affect safety, stressing that protecting lives begins with an integrated preventive culture.
Data enhances prevention
The civil engineer and consultant in facilities management, Haitham Yahya Al-Ahmadi, explained that accidents related to recreational games require a comprehensive review of the safety and technical control system, indicating that The safety of these facilities begins with design and installation, and extends to operation, maintenance, and continuous monitoring, and any defect in any of these stages may lead to serious consequences.
He stressed that the next stage requires moving from traditional periodic maintenance to data-based risk management, through specialized technical examinations, continuous evaluation of the operational life of the games, and the use of monitoring techniques for early detection of malfunctions before they occur.
He added that enhancing safety is a shared responsibility between regulatory authorities and operators, through adherence to technical standards, qualification of personnel, and transparency in reporting malfunctions, in addition to visitors’ commitment to instructions, in a way that enhances confidence in the level of safety and saves lives.
Oversight creates safety
Occupational safety and health engineer Dhia Muhammad Malibari explained that the accident of a fall in an amusement park confirms the importance of managing safety with a preventive approach based on risk management, and not just dealing with them. Accidents after they occur, pointing out that adherence to design and operation requirements, conducting periodic technical inspections by independent and accredited bodies, documenting maintenance work, and stopping any game that shows signs of malfunction, represents the first line of defense to protect lives.
He stressed that developing the control system requires employing modern technologies to monitor the operational status of games, raising the efficiency of technical personnel, and conducting periodic and surprise reviews to verify compliance with safety standards.
He also stressed the importance of visitors adhering to instructions and not using games that are not appropriate for their age or health condition, stressing that establishing a culture of safety is the basis for building a safe entertainment environment that enhances community confidence.
Governance begins with manufacturing
Consulting engineer Hani Siraj Wazzan explained that the safety of recreational games begins with the selection of the factory and supplier, because the quality of manufacturing and the efficiency of suppliers are directly reflected in the safety of visitors, calling for the accreditation of qualified manufacturers according to international standards, and requiring the games to pass efficiency tests. Manufacturing and technical inspection by independent “third party” parties, with the application of unified checklists covering the stages of design, manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance.
He stressed that the control system must rely on periodic checks based on risk assessment, documented digital records of maintenance work, and field reviews from qualified supervisory bodies, with stopping any game immediately upon the appearance of defect indicators until technical verification is completed.
He added that the operators’ commitment to the requirements, along with visitors’ awareness and reporting of any abnormal observations, represent a fundamental pillar of the safety system.
Investing in Prevention
Dr. Engineer Talal Saleh Mandourah, a specialist in occupational safety and health, maintenance, operation and industry, explained that the recurrence of recreational ride accidents, including the Abha and Taif accidents, confirms the necessity of moving from treating accidents after they occur to preventing them before they occur, by analyzing the root causes and applying the safety approach. Being proactive.
He stressed that investing in prevention contributes to reducing human and economic losses, calling for the involvement of an independent and qualified regulatory body to implement the occupational safety and health management system, and to conduct periodic inspections, non-destructive tests, and hydrostatic tests, in addition to implementing preventive maintenance according to precise checklists before operation, which helps discover hidden defects and prevent malfunctions before they occur.
Regulations preserve rights
Lawyer and legal advisor Majid Abdullah Al-Ahmadi explained that Saudi regulations paid great attention to the protection of lives and the safety of individuals, and that any failure to implement safety requirements may result in legal liability once the error, damage, and causal relationship are proven, pointing out that the Civil Transactions System guarantees those affected the right to demand reparation for damages.
He stressed that Article “120” of the Civil Transactions System stipulates that: “Every mistake that causes harm to another obligates the person who committed it to compensate,” while Article 121 stipulates that damage is considered to result from the harmful act if it is a direct result of it, unless proven otherwise.
He added that compensation includes physical, material, and moral damages, and is estimated according to the extent of the damage and its effects, calling on those affected to document the incident, and keep medical reports, records of the competent authorities, and relevant evidence, stressing that adherence to safety requirements and regular maintenance protects lives and reduces From legal responsibility.
Response saves lives
Emergency medicine consultant Dr. Bassem Al-Bahrani explained that recreational games accidents may result in injuries ranging from simple to serious, including head and spine injuries, fractures and dislocations, chest and abdominal injuries, in addition to bleeding and psychological shock, stressing that the speed of medical intervention contributes to stabilizing the condition, reducing complications and raising the chances of recovery.
He stressed that the correct behavior begins with immediately calling an ambulance, determining the location and number of injured, while not moving the injured. When an injury to the head, neck, or spine is suspected, except when there is immediate danger, stop bleeding with direct pressure, monitor breathing and awareness, and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation when needed for those who are skilled at it.
He warned against giving the injured person food, drink, or medicine, or gathering together and photographing the injured, calling on visitors to amusement parks to adhere to age, height, and weight restrictions, to ensure that seat belts are fastened, and to report any defect, stressing that adherence to safety procedures and rapid medical response represent the basic foundation for reducing injuries.
Rights are guaranteed by the system
Lawyer Wejdan Muhammad Al Dhaheri explained that the Saudi regime guaranteed protection to those affected by amusement ride accidents. Integrated legal law, based on Sharia rules, including “no harm, no harm” and “damage removed,” in addition to Article 119 of the Civil Transactions System, which affirmed the independence of civil liability from criminal liability, ensuring the right of the injured party to claim civil compensation whenever liability is proven, in addition to his right to resort to the competent authorities and the competent court to demand reparation for the damage.
She stressed that the claim for compensation is based on medical reports, records of the competent authorities, and documents and evidence proving the damage. And its relationship to the accident, noting that Article 143 of the Civil Transactions Law stipulates that a claim for compensation shall not be heard after three years from the date on which the injured party learns of the damage and who is responsible for it, and in all cases after ten years from the date on which the damage occurred.
She also stressed not to rush to sign any settlement or accept a settlement before the medical condition stabilizes and the effects of the injury become clear, stressing that responsibility and compensation are determined by the findings of investigations and evidence, and that compensation is a legal right aimed at reparing harm and achieving justice.
Documentation that preserves rights
Legal advisor Wejdan Abdulaziz explained that the Saudi system guarantees those affected in such accidents the right to demand compensation for physical, psychological and material damage when The responsibility of the perpetrator has been proven, in addition to their right to obtain medical care and resort to the judiciary to claim their rights.
She added that preserving these rights begins with quickly documenting the injury with approved medical reports, reporting the accident to the competent authorities, and keeping official records, invoices, photos or video clips, and all other evidence that supports the claim.
She stressed that the claim for compensation is based on the elements of tort liability represented by error, damage, and causal relationship, and is supported by the results of investigations, medical reports, and regulatory evidence.
She stressed that entertainment facilities bear a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment and adhere to safety and maintenance requirements and regulations regulating the sector, and that any breach of these obligations may result in legal and compensatory liability.
She also called on those affected not to give up their rights before completion. Investigations and clarification of responsibilities, indicating that compensation is estimated by the judiciary according to the extent of the damage, the loss suffered by the affected person, and the gain he lost.
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