Workers walk the tracks twice-once to check the left side and once to check the right side. They look for loose bolts and track spikes, cracked wood and any other problem that may have occurred during the night. They inspect the lift chain and braking mechanisms and they inspect the cars for loose bolts, cracks or safety devices that need attention. Each day, the coaster is first sent around the track empty, then with technicians aboard. Technicians listen for changes in sounds the coaster makes-sounds which might signal a loose bolt or track spike.
Monthly inspections are a more detailed look at the coaster's machinery and track.
And yearly inspections involve taking every coaster car apart and rebuilding it, replacing wood that has shown wear and replacing track that may show wear. At least once a year, most facilities X-ray their track or use magnetic scanners to check for metal stress or welds that need attention. The daily inspection of tubular steel metal coasters is slightly different from that for wooden coasters. Technicians cannot walk the entire track. Instead, they use high-power binoculars to check joints and key metal parts that would otherwise be out of reach.