OSHA Inspection: THE TIGER AND ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER

Issued

Aug 4, 2010

Abate by

Sep 6, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,600 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 the hazard of being struck or squeezed by an elephant:
a) Elephant Indoor Holding Area - An employee who entered the elephant
holding area
to remove fallen electrical wires from the elephant suffered fatal
struck-by injuries from
the elephant, disclosed on or about 4-09-10.
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED
Among other methods of abatement, one feasible and acceptable method to
correct this hazard
is to ensure:
(A)  Employees follow safe work practices as recommended in The
Association of Zoos and
Aquariums, AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care: " A minimum of
two qualified
elephant keepers must be present during any contact with elephants."
(B)  Enforcement of company policy that requires two people be present
when entering the
elephant containment area.
(C)  The development of a written Elephant Management Program that defines
responsibilities
for all personnel involved and provides guidelines for all elephant
management and handling
activities as recommended by The Elephant Managers Association.