Maybe you're blessed over in PA to have carnival ride operators that have good reputations, but right across the state line in Ohio, we aren't so fortunate. Our ride operation companies have the reputation you defend so heavily...and they deserve it!
In the past 2-3 years we've had 5 incidents on carnival rides in Ohio, (that I can think of) that have resulted in injuries or in two cases death.
1. A kid was struck and killed by the gondola of the state fairs giant frisbee ride.
2. Two incidents where ferris wheel cars came loose and dropped people to the ground, (one resulted in death after several days in critical condition, and that was just last fall if I remember right).
3. A Scrambler/Sizzler ride had an arm come loose and slam into the retaining barriers.
4. And a kiddie swing ride that dropped to the ground from about 2-3 feet, (I don't think there were actually in injuries just some really upset parents, and crying kids).
Now, not all these incidents are from the same company. But a couple were from the same co., and were given a slap on the wrist. Our inspections in Ohio are done by the states aggricultural dept., and there is no way they are present for every carnival set-up. With all of the events this state has during a weeks time they would have to have a huge dept. to cover every event.
And to say that carnivals have more regular inspections than established amusement parks is a little far to go. Also, on the subject that the carnies are so much more attentive....pleeaassee. I can't can't count the amount of times I've been on the rides at our carnivals when the operator has walked off for a smoke, or to talk to another worker while were on the ride! Sorry, a King's Island ride-op can't walk off for a smoke while people are on a ride.
Lastly, it's been 4-5 years ago that it was a major deal, but there was all kinds of controversey about the carnival circuits around the US. Namely that rides weren't getting inspected in a timely manner, and that many rides that were condemned by the states inspectors were getting renamed, repainted, getting the serial numbers taken off, and being put back in operation in other states. So once again, maybe you're blessed in PA, but the reputation many, (but not all), carnival operators have is accurate.