For reasons that have not been disclosed, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has sharply reduced fines levied recently against Disneyland Resorts for health and safety violations at Disneyland.
After discussions with the state agency, Disney will now have to pay only $82,000, as opposed to the $235,000 Cal/OSHA was originally seeking.
The penalties stem from November injuires to a contract employee performing maintenance on the Space Mountain attraction who fell from its slanted roof and broke bones. After an investigation, Cal-OSHA cited Disneyland Resorts for seven safety violations, including failing to provide contractor HSG, Inc. written assurance that all of Space Mountain's safety devices and equipment were adequate before HSG, Inc. employees used them to clean the exterior of the attraction.
The company was also cited for Disneyland's failure to have guardrails at elevated work locations; failure to have an injury and illness prevention program; failure to keep records for HVAC system inspections; and failure to ensure that fire extinguishers were checked yearly.
Disney has a mixed record on occupational safety and health. A Disneyland employee was killed in 2004 after his right foot became caught in a parade float. He fell and was then run over. At the time, Disney spokeswoman Veronica Clemons said, “The safety and security of our guests and cast members is a top priority.”
By 2011, the company’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel, was honored by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Health (ACOEM) for implementing a health and wellness strategy that involved electronic medical records, risk management with integration into risk management, safety and HRIS systems.
