Oklahoma Gov. Henry Seeks New Amusement Park Ride Rules OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (kccu-fm) - Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry rejects proposed rules drafted by the Department of Labor to regulate amusement ride operators.

Henry asked the agency yesterday to write a new set of guidelines out of concern for amusement ride safety at state and county fairs across Oklahoma.

The governor says the first proposal would have unintentionally jeopardized ride safety rather than enhanced it. Henry says he wants the Labor Department to ensure it has enough manpower to implement them.

Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields says he's disappointed by Henry's decision because the ability to take away operator licenses provides a level of safety that's needed. Fields says Henry owes the state an apology for potentially putting residents at risk.

Fields and Henry says the rejected rules don't affect existing state requirements that all rides be inspected and certified as safe, and that all ride operators meet minimum competency standards. © Copyright 2009, kccu-fm