SeaWorld Fined Again over Trainer Death

SeaWorld Orlando has again been fined and labeled a repeat offender by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for continuing to operate a workplace that can “cause death or serious physical harm to employees.” The fine is the result of a follow-up inspection OSHA conducted at Shamu Stadium in Orlando on December 11, 2012. In order to protect SeaWorld employees, OSHA had recommended that the company take steps such as “prohibiting animal trainers from working with killer whales ... unless the trainers are protected through the use of physical barriers or the trainers are required to maintain a minimum safe distance.” The fine comes as part of the three-year investigation and suit against SeaWorld after the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau, who was drowned by killer whale Tilikum at the park in February 2010.