KDOL releases audit of Schlitterbahn

The Kansas Department of Labor today released a records audit of Schlitterbahn that was dated Thursday, Aug. 11.

A two-page letter stated that the Division of Industrial Safety and Health completed an audit on Aug. 10 to ensure that Schlitterbahn met all requirements of the Kansas Amusement Ride Act. The audit was to make sure all records that are required were in place, and it was not to address the safety or integrity of the rides, according to the letter.

The audit letter was released on the day of the funeral for 10-year-old Caleb Schwab of Olathe, who died as a result of injuries while on the Schlitterbahn’s Verruckt ride.

The audit verified that various documents required by the law were available, including the certificate of inspection by a qualified inspector, maintenance and inspection records, according to the letter.

According to the audit, daily maintenance and inspection records for each ride are documented before operation. A Schlitterbahn spokesman said earlier that all rides are inspected daily by employees.

The records audit also verified that an operational manual was available for each ride, and that each employee has extensive training including orientation, specialized training and a minimum of four hours a month of training, according to the letter.

One of the audit items stated that the audit verified that non destructive testing is not required by the manufacturer of each ride. The manufacturer of the Verruckt ride was listed in a Schlitterbahn ride list as Henry and Sons, the family who founded Schlitterbahn.