Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 520 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY › Title 520 CMR 5.00 - AMUSEMENT DEVICES › Section 5.13 - Bungee Jumping

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 22, § 11B.
(1)
Code Reference
. The Department hereby adopts by reference version 2.1 of the United States Bungee Association Standards Code. Other comparable bungee codes or standards may be used provided the bungee company can demonstrate to the inspector from the Department that such codes or standards provide equal or better protection.
(2)
Application
. Any bungee company wishing to operate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must make application to the Department of Public Safety and shall obtain a permit to operate from said department before commencing operations. Such application shall be submitted along with a fee of $250. Such fee shall in the form of a certified check or money order and shall be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(3)
Insurance
. Any bungee company operating in the Commonwealth must carry a minimum of $2,000,000 per incident liability insurance. This policy must cover all aspects of the bungee operation, including all spectators, participants and any operators involved including hoisting engineers who may operate a crane.
(4)
Crane Usage
. If a crane is to be used by a bungee company, the on-site hoisting engineer must possess a Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1A hoisting license. Nothing smaller than the use of a 20 ton crane shall be used to hoist personnel for the purpose of bungee jumping. All cranes used for the purpose of bungee jumping must have an "anti-two block" safety system in place and operating.
(5)
Employee Requirements
. Any bungee company operating in the Commonwealth shall have a job site of no less than five employees, each of which must meet USBA requirements. One employee shall ride in the man basket, at least one employee shall be on the ground continually monitoring the activities in the man basket; one employee shall be the hoisting engineer; and the remaining employees may handle ticket sales, money collection and other related matters. At no time shall the employee designated on the ground to monitor the man basket handle ticket sales or monetary transactions. The license to operate shall only remain valid if five or more employees are present. No bungee jumping is permitted without compliance with 520 CMR 5.09.
(6)
Inspector Presence
. An inspector from the Department of Public Safety shall be present for the set up of the crane, inspection of the log, and the testing of the bungee cord. At the discretion of the inspector, the inspector or their designee may perform a test jump as a final check of the bungee safety system and devices.
(7)
Communication System
. A communication system shall be established, which will allow the hoisting engineer, the ground crew and the personnel in the man basket to remain in direct communication at all times.
(8)
Minimum Age
. No person under the age of 16 shall be allowed to bungee jump. Bungee companies shall require prospective jumpers to provide proof of age before being allowed to jump.
(9)
Medical Conditions
. Any person with a medical condition that could be adversely affected by bungee jumping shall be prohibited from bungee jumping. Prospective jumpers have the exclusive responsibility to notify the Bungee Company that a potential medical condition exists, and to seek professional medical advice prior to making a jump. Bungee Companies shall not be responsible for injuries sustained as a result of an undisclosed medical condition of the jumper.
(10)
Proper Signage
. A sign shall be erected on all jump sites, listing any medical restrictions, age restrictions, and weight restrictions of jumpers not exceeding 275 pounds.
(11)
Emergency Plan
. Each bungee jumping site shall have a plan in place in the event of an emergency. Every employee of the bungee company shall have a good working knowledge of the plan. At least one member of the ground crew or jump master must hold a minimum of a first aid rating or the equivalent, including a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.
(12)
Injury Notification
. In the event of an injury requiring medical attention, the bungee company shall immediately cease operations on that site and shall notify the following telephone number 508-820-1444 within one hour of the serious injury incident. The site shall remain closed until an inspector of the Department has granted approval for reopening.
(13)
Intoxication
. No individual who is visibly intoxicated or appears to be under the influence of drugs shall be allowed to bungee jump.
(14)
Restrictions
. Bungee jumping shall be allowed exclusively over air bags or water only. Bungee companies must maintain a safety space beyond the jump some of at least 15 feet over the air bag or water with a depth of less than ten feet. No safety space shall be required when jumping is conducted over water which is more than ten feet deep and there is a means in place to reduce water surface tension, such as a water spray. Bungee jumping from hot air balloons and bridges are prohibited. Stunt jumping, tandem jumping, reverse jumping, launching, sandbagging, and catapulting is strictly prohibited.
(15)
Site Jump Master
. Each bungee site shall have a site jump master who is designated as the person in charge of the operation. The site jump master shall stop jumping operation when the wind speed, lightning or any other weather condition exists that may effect the safe operation at the bungee site.
(16)
Man Baskets
. Man baskets used for hoisting personnel must meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifications. Such man baskets must be approved by the Department of Public Safety. All baskets shall have the following:
(a) Slip resistant floors
(b) A gate chain or a suitable means that blocks access to the jumping platform while said platform is not in use.
(c) Solid or semi-solid sides around the four sides of the man basket to prevent prospective jumpers from attempting to abandon a jump after forward motion has begun. Man baskets shall not have any means for a prospective jumper to hold on or re-grasp after the jumper has begun their jump.