North Carolina inspectors conduct safety checks for State Fair rides

State inspectors from the North Carolina Department of Labor are conducting extensive safety checks on 94 rides ahead of the North Carolina State Fair opening in Raleigh. Sixteen inspectors are expected to dedicate at least 1,000 hours to verifying that all attractions meet strict safety requirements.

The inspection process includes examining mechanical components such as bolt tightness, welds, and safety restraints, as well as reviewing maintenance logs, insurance documentation, and daily inspection records. Because many rides are disassembled and reassembled when moved between locations, North Carolina law requires inspections every time they are set up at a new site.

Labor Commissioner Luke Farley stated that the state maintains some of the highest safety standards in the country. Ride operators, including Powers Great American Midway, also utilize in-house inspectors to work alongside state officials during the process.