Logbooks and manuals for amusement rides

Overview

This guidance is aimed at employers or self-employed people who manage or control specified types of amusement structures. It outlines your obligations regarding logbooks and manuals for those amusement structures. 

These obligations apply to amusement structures that Australian Standard AS 3533.1-2009 Amusement rides and devices Part 1: Design and Construction applies to, other than class 1 rides (‘amusement rides’).

If you are not sure of the classification of an amusement ride that you own or operate, you should contact a suitably qualified person for advice. For example, a registered engineer who has experience in amusement ride inspections.

What is a logbook?

A logbook is a collection of documents and records relating to an amusement ride. The purpose of a logbook is to keep a permanent record of the details of the history of a ride. This allows people to access relevant information that is needed to ensure the safety of an amusement ride.

The records making up a logbook may be in physical form (for example a booklet), or they may be electronic (for example documents accessible via a laptop or mobile phone).

What information must be in a logbook?

You must make sure that the following details are recorded in the logbook for an amusement ride that you manage or control:

• The item of plant registration number (if any).
• The plant design registration number (if any).
• A statement from the manufacturer outlining which patrons may use the amusement ride (for example any restrictions on patron size or age). You should contact a suitably qualified person for advice if it is not possible to get a statement from the manufacturer. For example, if the manufacturer is no longer operating and original records have been lost.
• For each time the ride is erected (put up), details of the erection (including the date and location).
• For each time the ride is stored, details of the storage (including the date, location and storage conditions), for example whether the ride is:
  • kept undercover
  • in a shed
  • in a paddock
  • undergoing strip down
  • secured (eg safely locked away).
• For each day on which the amusement ride is operated, the number of hours for which it is operated.
• Starting from 29 July 2026, the total number of hours the amusement ride has been operated. If you were already recording the hours of operation before 29 July 2026, you should also include this information.
• Details of any inspection, maintenance and testing of the amusement ride, for example:
  • The date and time of inspection, maintenance or testing.
  • The name of the person who conducted the inspection, maintenance or testing.
  • The qualifications or experience of the person who conducted the inspection, maintenance or testing.
  • Which parts of the ride were inspected or tested.
  • Information relating to the inspection and testing of critical components of the ride (for example patron restraints) including any certificates of inspection.
  • What repair work or changes were made (if any) in order to maintain the ride.
• Details of any faults or other safety issues identified during the operation, inspection, maintenance or testing of the ride.
• What steps were taken (if any) to fix these faults or safety issues.
• For each person who operates the amusement ride:
  • the person’s full name
  • whether the person has been provided with instruction and training in the proper operation of the ride
  • the dates of all instruction or training provided to the person relating to how to properly operate the ride
  • a summary of the instruction or training provided
  • the name and qualifications or experience of the instructor or trainer.
• Details of any notice (non-disturbance, improvement, prohibition or infringement notice) or direction issued by a WorkSafe Victoria (or interstate) inspector in relation to the ride, including:
  • the date of the notice or direction
  • the location of the ride at the time the notice was issued, if the notice was issued by an interstate inspector
  • the reasons given by the inspector for issuing the notice or direction
  • what action was taken (if any) in response to the notice or direction
  • details of any advice that the notice or direction has been complied with or the notice has been withdrawn.

Providing access to logbooks and manuals

You must make sure that the logbook and operating and maintenance manuals for the amusement ride are kept with the ride, and are available to WorkSafe Victoria inspectors, at all times.

You must make sure that the following people are given access to the logbook* and the operating and maintenance manuals for the ride:

• People involved in the commissioning, installation, use, inspection, maintenance, storage and testing of the ride.
• People involved in the decommissioning, dismantling and disposal of the ride.

[* other than the information relating to the dates of instruction or training, summary of instruction or training, and the names and qualifications of the instructor or trainer.]

If you give up management or control of an amusement ride to someone else, you must provide a copy of the logbook and operating and maintenance manuals to that person.

If a logbook is electronic, there should be a way to access it when required or requested. For example, a sign with a QR code or instructions on how to access it from a mobile phone or laptop.