OSHA Inspection: RIVERSIDE ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION DBA RIVERSIDE DISC

Issued

Apr 29, 2011

Abate by

Jun 1, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,100 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 amputation hazards:
1600 S. Beltline Hwy W, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 (Chimpanzee Building):
Employees were
exposed to physical harm such as amputation hazards when coming into
physical contact with
chimpanzees. The employer did not ensure that employees did not come into
physical contact
with chimpanzees, which are known to be aggressive toward humans. An
employee had three
fingers amputated when an aggressive female and male chimpanzee bit the
right hand of a
zookeeper while the zookeeper was petting the chimpanzee during a feeding
on or about
January 14, 2011.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHODS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE:
1) Utilize protective barriers, devices, or other engineering to prevent
or restrict
employee physical contact with animals with known aggressive tendencies
including,
but not limited to, chimpanzees; or administrative controls that provide
the same or a
greater level of protection for the zookeepers.
2) Develop written work rules, inspection policies, and disciplinary
procedures
prohibiting employee physical contact with animals with known aggressive
tendencies
including, but not limited to, chimpanzees.
3) Train employees to recognize the dangers of coming into physical
contact
with
animals with known aggressive tendencies including, but not limited to,
chimpanzees.
Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this
violation.  The
documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable
measurements or
monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be
helpful.  The
abatement certification sheet is enclosed.