All Bulls are NOT the Same:
THOMCO has been insuring mobile entertainment games and equipment for many years including mechanical bulls. The first mass production of mechanical bulls was in the
early 70's and they were widely used to train professional rodeo riders. Mechanical bull riding was widely popularized by the John Travolta movie, Urban Cowboy which
was a Hollywood hit in 1980. The original mechanical bulls had two speeds: on and off also reported as fast and stopped. Today there are many manufacturers of
mechanical bulls some with desirable safety features and some models are missing important safety components. Before you buy a new or used mechanical bull for your
entertainment business contact a THOMCO Fun Pro representative to learn which brands and models are most easily insured against general liability losses.
NOT Everyone CAN Ride:
Having underwritten mechanical bull operators for several years we see claims and hear many stories. We also are asked many questions about mechanical bull riding.
Should age parameters be placed on bull riders is one common question. Within reason operators can determine what minimum and maximum age should be allowed to ride.
A better solution when determining if someone should be allowed to ride is a gauge of their overall physical fitness. Someone who is not physically capable of getting
onto the bull unassisted due to weight or other physical challenges should not be allowed to ride even if they are at the typical age for the attraction. Some traveling
mechanical bull operators allow riders as young as 4 years old with experienced operators who can control the bull motions so as not to allow violent falls.
Some operators report customers' desiring to ride two people at a time. If ever asked about multiple riders, the answer should always be NO! Under no circumstance should an
operator be willing to risk the safety of their customers by having more than one rider at a time.
There are locations where mechanical bulls are set up that serve alcohol to their customers of legal drinking age. How should the consumption of alcohol play in whether or
not someone is allowed to ride? Most experienced operators can visually judge when a person has had too much to drink. Operators should err on the side of caution and if
there is impairment from alcohol ask the customer to come back later. By exercising caution you may be avoiding injuries and even vomit that could shut down your ride for
hours while it is cleaned and sanitized.
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Safety Surroundings:
Mechanical bulls should be set up with an inflatable surrounding on all sides of the bulls stand. The edges of this "landing platform" should be an inflatable ring simulating
a bullpen. Make sure there are no gaps between the support pole and the inflatable surrounding where an arm or leg can get caught. To keep spectators from sitting or leaning
on the edge of the inflatable bullpen it is a good idea to have barricade fencing set up as an exterior perimeter. Following these safety precautions reduce the risk of a myriad
of accidents. The operator should be positioned where ingress and egress to the bull is easily controlled.
The bull themselves should have soft heads, soft flexible rubber horns, and they should move in a circular motion while allowing for up and down movement as well. The goal is
to allow the bull to "throw" a rider to either side rather than over the head or behind the back of the bull. Side tosses result in fewer injuries from being struck by the
moving bull if a thrown rider gets up quickly after being tossed.
For outdoor set up of a mechanical bull the electrical supply to the bull must be considered carefully. Proper grounding with GFCI outlets are required as well as assuring the
proper volts, amperage, and plugs. Additionally, care must be taken to properly secure the cords to the ground or cover them with approved covers so that anyone walking in the
areas does not trip and fall.
Operator Training:
Mechanical bulls, like any other piece of equipment, require training in order to operate properly. Operators should go through classroom training to learn about the variety of
customers and who should and should not ride. Hands on training should be done without a rider on the bull. This is required so the operator can get an idea of the speed in
which the controls react as well as how to properly change the directions of the bull. After the operator is comfortable with the controls a short time operating the bull with
coworkers will help complete the training process.
Some companies elect to provide marketing training to help operators manage crowds and deal with difficult customers. Of course many operators are selected for their position
because of natural people skills.
Additional Information:
If you would like additional information on risk management and loss prevention for mechanical bulls please contact
Kimble Oliver at
kimble@inflatableinsurance.com, or
Bill Coons at
1-888-546-4042 or BillC@Thomcoins.com.
To receive a price quote on insurance for your mechanical bull or other inflatable attractions please contact
Kendra Hall at 1-888-546-0026 or by E-mail at
KRHall@Thomcoins.com.
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