In September 2024, a trainer at SeaWorld's Orlando theme park was injured during a training session with a killer whale. Following the incident, the U.S. Department of Labor conducted an investigation and determined that the trainer was not adequately protected from potential hazards associated with working closely with the whale.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) carried out the investigation and issued a serious citation under the general duty clause. The citation was for allowing employees to work in proximity to the whale, which exposed them to risks such as bites, being struck by the animal, and drowning. OSHA has proposed a penalty of $16,550.
SeaWorld now has 15 business days from receiving the citations and penalties to either comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
For more information on preventing hazards when working with animals, employers are encouraged to contact OSHA for guidance. Resources on complying with OSHA standards are also available. The citation details will be provided upon request.
