OSHA Inspection: SIX FLAGS OHIO - GEAUGA LAKE PARK

Issued

Jun 13, 2000

Abate by

Jun 16, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,625 · Current $1,138 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards
that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that
employees were exposed to:
On or before May 30, 2000, employees who worked the Batman Ride, were
exposed to
potential falls and/or caught in hazards caused by the unexpected
activation/movement of the
ride's combs and front swing gates.  On May 30, 2000, upon interruption of
either light
curtain, the ride's programming allowed the operation of the combs to
resume after the
subject source of the interruption of the light curtain was removed, i.e.,
a hat, thus resulting
in injury to an employee who was, at that specific time, still walking
across the combs.
Additionally, after a dispatch cycle had been initiated by the panel
operator, the swing gate
located in front of the train remained open even with an interruption of
either
light curtain
had occurred.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the
hazard(s) is to
revise the control system program to synchronize the operation of the
combs and front swing
gate and to interlock the control of the combs and front swing gate with
both light curtains
and the ride dispatch sequence.  Upon interruption of either light
curtain, the operation of the
combs and front swing gate will stop and disable further operation.  After
the source of the
interruption in the light curtain is removed, e.g., a hat, the ride
dispatch sequence must be
reinitiated before the operation of the combs and front swing gate can be
resumed.  The
utilization of enable buttons or pressure sensing pads for each employee
on the
loading/unloading deck will further ensure safe positioning of all
effected employees during
the dispatch sequence.

Issued

Jun 13, 2000

Abate by

Jun 16, 2000

Penalty

Initial $975 · Current $683 Reduced