Posts Tagged ‘OSHA’
More fines for SeaWorld
There has been some more bad news for SeaWorld in the US following the announcement that California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) has fined SeaWorld San Diego for failing to protect its employees from orcas it holds captive in its tanks. The fines amount to $25,770, and relate, in part, to trainers riding…
Read MoreThe Policy of Freedom
There are multiple government agencies that are responsible for overseeing the care and well-being of Lolita, the only surviving member of the Southern Resident orcas that is still trapped in captivity. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for making sure the Miami Seaquarium’s tanks comply with regulations (they don’t). The Occupational…
Read MoreSeaWorld trainers to wear inflatable vests for safety
Trainers working with captive orcas at SeaWorld’s marine parks have begun wearing inflatable safety vests. The move is another safety measure implemented after the 2010 death of a trainer, Dawn Brancheau who was dragged into a pool by orca Tillikum. Her death prompted action by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and, in…
Read MoreEnd of the Road? Another legal setback for SeaWorld
WDC welcomes the recent decision by the US Court of Appeals to uphold the original Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation against SeaWorld and deny their most recent petition for review. With this decision, SeaWorld’s only option left open to them in their tortuous legal battle to overturn the original citation issued in August…
Read MoreSea World back in court to fight trainer ban
The battle resumes this week between the US federal government and Sea World over whether to allow Sea World’s trainers to perform alongside captive orcas in its shows. Sea World is seeking to overturn a ruling made in 2012 which prohibited trainers from conducting water work with all orcas unless protected by physical barriers or…
Read MoreSeaWorld fined for second time over safety issues
The US government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined SeaWorld for a second time for failing to meet strict safety standards. This latest financial penalty relates to worker safety violations and the continuing close and dangerous contact with orcas by trainers during performances. SeaWorld continues to fight an initial fine from OSHA which…
Read MoreRepeat Offender: OSHA Fines SeaWorld Again
The seemingly never-ending game of ‘cat and mouse’ between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and SeaWorld, where the August 2010 OSHA-issued citation has been challenged by the theme park from the outset, has not yet run its course. Today, OSHA issued yet another citation against SeaWorld. This second citation compounds the official charges against SeaWorld and…
Read MoreIkaika Healing From Injury at SeaWorld California
Recent photos circulating on the Internet reveal that Ikaika (Ike), the 9-year old male killer whale transported back to SeaWorld in San Diego after a five-year stay at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, has been injured. Reports from patrons also indicate that Ike has not been performing in shows as of late July, presumably due…
Read MoreChilling video shows SeaWorld trainer dragged under water by orca
A chilling video showing an orca holding a SeaWorld trainer under water for several minutes has been released. Kasatka’s attack on San Diego trainer Ken Peters in 2006 highlights one of the many disturbing issues of keeping these powerful creatures in captivity. The footage shows Kasatka grabbing her trainer’s foot and dragging him under the…
Read MoreSeaWorld Loses Appeal
SeaWorld has failed to overturn a ruling that could mark the permanent end to trainers at its facilities in the US being able to work with orcas in the water ever again. SeaWorld had until the end of business on Monday July 16th to respond to an original citation issued by US Occupational Safety and…
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