According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel, Walt Disney World is potentially facing a fine for not reporting a cast member injury to OSHA in a timely manner.
UPDATE (2:50 p.m. PT): OSHA has withdrawn their fine after reviewing the incident.
- The Orlando Sentinel updated their report this afternoon regarding Disney’s potential OSHA fine.
- After review of the incident, OSHA is retracting the $10,000 fine for which they cited Disney.
- According to OSHA, the surgical procedure to remove a cast member’s finger following an injury was not an “amputation” but rather an “avulsion.”
- An avulsion is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as: “tearing away of a body part accidentally or surgically.”
- OSHA regulations for amputations require companies to notify them within 24 hours of amputation. Regulations for avulsions fall under another category, and Disney’s original report on July 10th was submitted within regulated time frame.
Previously:
- Disney is facing a $10,000 fine for not reporting a cast member injury quickly enough to the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA).
- On June 21, a Yacht and Beach Resort cast member had a procedure to surgically remove their finger following an injury.
- According to OSHA regulations, report of the procedure and injury is required within 24 hours. Disney alerted OSHA of the incident on July 10th more than 2 weeks after the procedure.
- OSHA sent a letter to Disney informing them of the citation and pending fine.
- The fine is not final and Disney has until September 4th to contest it, according to a spokesman for OSHA.
- Disney has declined to comment on how the worker was injured.
What they’re saying:
- Disney spokeswoman in an email statement: “The safety of our Cast members is central to everything we do. We regret one of our Cast members was injured and are continuing to review this matter.”
More news:
Although this incident pre-dates them, two other industrial accidents have happened on Walt Disney World property in the recent weeks.
- In July, 33 year old cast member Juan Alberto Ojeda was killed when the utility cart he was working on jumped the curb and crushed him.
- Earlier this month John Korody, an employee with Harvest Power (a company that specializes in food waste recycling) died when he slipped into a vat of oil