Disney World fined $7,000 for monorail collision

by Leah Zanolla
Dec 23, 2009

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Walt Disney World for several violations. Following a fatal July collision involving two monorail trains, OSHA had been investigating the theme parks. They have cited one "serious" violation, resulting in a $7,000 fine, saying that the violation led to the fatal monorail collision. The report states that Disney did not consider the possible implications of driving the trains in reverse. Recently, a 20-year-old manufacturer's guide has been examined, in which it states that a spotter should be watching the train's opposite end. As of this week, Disney now requires these spotters.

In addition to this violation, Disney has also been charged with three unrelated safety violations. These don't have to do with the monorail accident, but were discovered during the investigation. Two repeat violations for the park were that workers in the monorail maintenance shop were exposed without protection to a fall of more than eight feet and they also were not adequately trained to use portable fire extinguishers. Disney was also cited for a drill press in the shop that didn't have a safety guard installed. A $35,000 fine was imposed for these repeat violations.

In their report, OSHA also discussed the recent death of another cast member, Mark Priest. Priest died after hitting his head during a Magic Kingdom stage show. OSHA recommends that actors rehearse on a new stage before appearing on it in a live performance.

The agency is still investigating the death of a third employee this summer.

Disney has 15 days to respond to the OSHA's findings.

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• Last Updated: Feb 8, 2012 - 9:40:38 AM