RIDING REGULATIONS AMUSEMENT PARK SAFETY EXAMINED AFTER INCIDENT FORCES REVIEW.

Byline: Staff and Wire Services

The first in a series of public hearings into state regulations of amusement parks such as Valencia's Six Flags California began Monday in Oakland.

A new law - sparked by a 1998 fatal incident at Disneyland - orders state officials to set up regulations to help ensure the safety of people at California's amusement parks.

Reports and testimony from the hearings will be reviewed by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the agency that will oversee the new regulations.

In addition to Monday's hearing, the agency will hold two hearings next year to address technical regulations and how penalties should be assessed.

Disneyland's Ray Gomez said park officials would give their comments to the state in writing and would not attend the Oakland session.

The new law was spurred by a fatal incident at Disneyland two years ago. A Washington man was killed when hit by a metal cleat that tore off the ship Columbia. His wife and a park worker were seriously injured.

``It's a careful cautious government project . . . and we're still in regulatory limbo,'' said La Jolla activist Kathy Fackler, who has lobbied for greater disclosure of ride injuries since her son's foot was injured on a Disneyland ride in 1998.

Despite the lack of clear guidelines, amusement park officials say they have been operating on the honor system, and have notified the state about several incidents.

Disneyland officials said they contacted state investigators in September when a 4-year-old Canyon Country boy was injured on the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin attraction.

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With construction work under way on a new ride at Six Flags California, the first in a series of public hearings into state amusement park safety began Monday.

Craig Mailloux/Staff Photographer