SeaWorld is seeked a settlement with with OSHA as the government agency continues its probe of the February 27 death of trainer Dawn Brancheau. Brancheau was killed by Tillikum, a killer whale, after her hair got caught in his mouth while she was leaning over the water and interacting with him after the "Dine With Shamu" event. Click here for more information on that incident.
SeaWorld implemented immediate changes after the attack, with trainers not going in the water, or even touching the killer whales, in its signature "Believe" orca show (pictured at right). The rules have been somewhat relaxed in the past few months, with trainers touching the whales from the edges of the pool, but there are no more of the breathtaking moves like riding them or jumping from the tips of their noses.
The park would have to agree to certain safety changes for its workers if it strikes a ''pre-citation settlement" with OSHA. This negotiation could blunt bad publicity that might be generated by an OSHA report if the process runs through completion. SeaWorld's sister park in San Diego got a major slap from OSHA after a trainer injury three years ago. The final report for that incident accused it of unsafe practices and said it was only a matter of time before a trainer would be killed. Those words had an eerie ring in the wake of Brancheau's death.
OSHA will issue its report in August if no agreement is reached.
Trainers at SeaWorld and its sister parks still love their jobs despite the element of danger and the unknown. Click here to see a video in which they discuss their work. Click here to read the touching reason why Dawn had long hair. Click here to read more of my articles and click here to follow me on Twitter.
Photo: Barb Nefer
Comments
How do I view your pictures from your 75th Disney cruise that you mentioned on facebook. I don't see them posted there.
They are in an album called something like "75th Cruise." Right now all I have is a few of the Ariel statue we received. I'll also be posting photos and trips reports on my Examiner Disney Cruise line column by this weekend.
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