(a) Any mechanical, structural, or electrical defects directly affecting patron safety for which an amusement ride is closed to patron use for a period of time more than three (3) hours must be reported in writing personally or by facsimile by the owner or operator to the Division of Labor within twenty-four (24) hours after the closing of the amusement ride.
(b)
(1) The operator of an amusement ride shall immediately cease to operate any ride involved in a fatality or serious physical injury. The owner or operator shall notify the division of such an accident within four (4) hours of its occurrence by telephone or facsimile. The owner or operator shall file a written accident report personally or by facsimile with the division within twenty-four (24) hours of the accident. Within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of such a report, the division shall initiate an investigation of the occurrence and an inspection of the ride. The division shall perform the inspection in a manner that proceeds with all practicable speed and minimizes the disruption of the amusement facility at which the amusement ride is located.
(2) Unless authorized in writing by the division, no amusement ride may be operated, moved, altered, repaired, or tampered with, except to protect life, limb, and property following an accident involving a serious injury or death until the division has completed its inspection and investigation.