At a national Safety Meeting in Denmark, ADVANTIS highlighted the growing importance of Operation & Use Risk Assessments (OURA) in ensuring safe amusement ride operations.
From Design to Operation
International standards (EN and ISO) require two complementary approaches:
- DRA (Design Risk Assessment): focuses on technical design decisions
- OURA: focuses on real-world operation, guest behavior, and procedures
Key insight: “An OURA must be developed in parallel with the DRA, not after.”
The Risk Assessment Process
Based on ASTM F3598, risk assessments follow a clear process:
- Define scope and team
- Identify hazards
- Evaluate risks (severity & probability)
- Reduce risks (design + operational measures)
- Document and review
Practical examples show that many critical risks arise from:
- Guest behavior (e.g. entering restricted areas)
- Operational gaps (e.g. unsafe boarding situations)
Effective mitigation requires a combination of design improvements and operational controls.
Key Takeaway
OURA is the bridge between design intent and real-world operation.
Started early and managed continuously, it turns safety into a proactive, structured process—not just a compliance task.
