Disney World cleared of any safety violations in stunt worker’s death
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:09 am
Walt Disney World has been cleared of any workplace-safety violations stemming from an accident last summer in which a resort employee died after breaking his neck while rehearsing his part in a popular stunt show.
With the decision, OSHA formally wrapped up the last of its investigations into three employee deaths at Disney World last summer, including the deaths of 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, who was killed in a July monorail crash, and 47-year-old Mark Priest, who died following injuries suffered after he fell into a wall during a pirate-themed stage show at the Magic Kingdom in mid-August.
The federal agency ultimately cited Disney for four safety violations — all related to the monorail probe, including one that OSHA said directly contributed to the collision — and fined the resort $35,200. It also issued a single safety recommendation arising from the investigation into Priest’s death, urging Disney to ensure that its employees always rehearse first before a live performance on a new stage.
Orlando Sentinel
With the decision, OSHA formally wrapped up the last of its investigations into three employee deaths at Disney World last summer, including the deaths of 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, who was killed in a July monorail crash, and 47-year-old Mark Priest, who died following injuries suffered after he fell into a wall during a pirate-themed stage show at the Magic Kingdom in mid-August.
The federal agency ultimately cited Disney for four safety violations — all related to the monorail probe, including one that OSHA said directly contributed to the collision — and fined the resort $35,200. It also issued a single safety recommendation arising from the investigation into Priest’s death, urging Disney to ensure that its employees always rehearse first before a live performance on a new stage.
Orlando Sentinel