Mr. Idzikowski, we’re currently in the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, overlooking the city’s harbor and the Kowloon district. Do moments like this ever cause you to take pause?
Quite often, actually. I hear that from my colleagues all the time. You should really take the two minutes. They’re wonderful moments when you can simply enjoy them.
What’s been your best view so far?
Hong Kong is always impressive. The first time here was a fascinating experience. The location is breathtaking, up on the mountain where the cliffs drop away. But there are also beautiful places in Italy where you can see the ocean or Mount Etna from a rollercoaster or a Ferris wheel.
What exactly are you inspecting?
The team for “moving structures” that I’m a part of inspects all sorts of rides, for instance in amusement parks or at fairgrounds or carnivals. We do it all, from small children’s carousels to the big rollercoasters.
And you’re involved from start to finish?
Exactly. Even in the planning phases of a new installation, we check whether it fulfills the safety requirements that are set by international standards. Amusement park rides are getting increasingly spectacular, so our expertise is very important. Often we monitor the manufacturing of the installation and examine it once again before it goes into operation. And then there are standard annual inspections.