OSHA Inspection: SEA WORLD OF FLORIDA LLC

Issued

Aug 23, 2010

Abate by

Jun 18, 2012

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

Issued

Aug 23, 2010

Abate by

Sep 2, 2010

Penalty

Initial $70,000 · Current $7,000 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:
a)At the Shamu Stadium pools, animal trainers working with Tilikum, a
killer whale
with known aggressive tendencies and who was involved in the 1991 death of
a whale
trainer at a marine park in Vancouver, British Columbia, were exposed to
struck-by
and drowning hazards in that they were allowed unprotected contact with
Tilikum
while conducting "drywork" performances on pool ledges, slideouts and
platforms, on
or about 2/24/2010.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement would
be to
not allow animal trainers to have any contact with Tilikum unless they are
protected
by a physical barrier.
b)At the Shamu Stadium pools, animal trainers working with killer whales
other than
Tilikum were exposed to struck-by and drowning hazards in that they were
allowed to
engage in "waterwork" and "drywork" performances with the killer whales
without
adequate protection, on or about 2/24/2010.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement would
prohibit
animal trainers from working with killer whales, including "waterwork" or
"dry
work", unless the trainers are protected through the use of physical
barriers or
through the use of decking systems, oxygen supply systems or other
engineering or
administrative controls that provide the same or a greater level of
protection for the
trainers.n