Disney fined following fatality

by Leah Zanolla
May 24, 2008

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found five violations during its investigation of Animal Kingdom's Primeval Whirl attraction.

This ride was the site of an accident on November 24 involving a Disney employee which resulted in a fatality. In referring to the victim Karen Price, the OSHA report stated "An employee, who was working on an elevated platform, dispatched a roller coaster then went back to the roller coaster to assist some guests and while the deceased was assisting the guests the roller coaster dispatched. The roller coaster struck the deceased then pushed her 10 feet. The deceased fell 32 inches from the roller coaster to the ground level."

Of the various violations, three were termed "serious", one was a repeat violation and one was paperwork related. The absence of "machine guarding" was directly attributed to the accident. This lack of protection for the ride operator resulted in a $7000 fine.

Following the accident, Disney stated that Ms. Price was in an area which was designated as prohibited when the ride was in motion. They have since installed sensors which shut down the attraction if someone enters this area.

Other citations include a $7500 fine for not adding a stairwell railing as required following a July inspection as well as a $3000 fine for non-compliance with mandated record keeping.

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