Cal-OSHA faults zoo for tiger attack on worker (6/27)
June 27, 2007
The San Francisco Zoo is at fault for last December's gruesome tiger attack on a keeper, according to an investigation by California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA), the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
"It was obvious that any of the cats could reach through or under the bars and that a potential hazard zone extended approximately 18 inches from the cage face," concluded the agency’s report.
According to the Chronicle, Lori Komejan, 46, was mauled by Tatiana, a 350-pound Siberian tiger, on the afternoon of Dec. 22 as dozens of horrified visitors watched. The incident occurred inside the Lion House after a routine public feeding of the big cats.
"The flesh was torn from her right arm," Dean Fryer, spokesman for Cal-OSHA, the state's workplace safety agency, told the Chronicle. "It was peeled off, similar to peeling off a glove."
The investigation said zoo officials were aware that hazardous conditions existed at the Lion House, closed since Komejan was injured. Cal-OSHA ordered changes — which already have been made — in the setup of the cages and wants to impose an $18,000 penalty, which the zoo can appeal.
"The hazard of the great cats being able to reach through and/or under the bars of the cages had been known to the employer for some time," the report said, citing a Lion House operations manual.
Investigators found that the zoo was also remiss because employees were not trained in procedures that would ensure safety and compliance, such as a buddy system, or the use of specialized equipment such as extension tools, noise devices or repellent sprays.
"It was obvious that any of the cats could reach through or under the bars and that a potential hazard zone extended approximately 18 inches from the cage face," concluded the agency’s report.
According to the Chronicle, Lori Komejan, 46, was mauled by Tatiana, a 350-pound Siberian tiger, on the afternoon of Dec. 22 as dozens of horrified visitors watched. The incident occurred inside the Lion House after a routine public feeding of the big cats.
"The flesh was torn from her right arm," Dean Fryer, spokesman for Cal-OSHA, the state's workplace safety agency, told the Chronicle. "It was peeled off, similar to peeling off a glove."
The investigation said zoo officials were aware that hazardous conditions existed at the Lion House, closed since Komejan was injured. Cal-OSHA ordered changes — which already have been made — in the setup of the cages and wants to impose an $18,000 penalty, which the zoo can appeal.
"The hazard of the great cats being able to reach through and/or under the bars of the cages had been known to the employer for some time," the report said, citing a Lion House operations manual.
Investigators found that the zoo was also remiss because employees were not trained in procedures that would ensure safety and compliance, such as a buddy system, or the use of specialized equipment such as extension tools, noise devices or repellent sprays.
