What lies beneath: Moments later, Dawn Brancheau was dragged under the water and suffered major trauma which killed herSeaWorld has been hit with a £50,000 fine over the horrific death of a trainer by one of their killer whales.
US health and safety chiefs said the death of Dawn Brancheau in February could have been avoided if the Orlando theme park had not exposed its employees to potentially dangerous marine mammals.
A detailed investigation by safety experts found that SeaWorld trainers had an extensive history of unexpected and potentially dangerous incidents involving the performing killer whales.
In a damming report the Occupational Safety and Health Association also found that bosses at SeaWorld failed to implement changes that would have made it a safer working environment.
The $75,000 fine was in relation to three violations of safety rules, including one breach classed as 'wilful.'
Brancheau,40, was killed when six ton orca Tilikum dragged her under water in front of horrified tourists at the SeaWorld park in Orlando, Florida.
She had been leaning towards the whale when it grabbed her pony tail and threw her around violently underwater.
An autopsy showed she died from blunt force trauma.
As a result of the death trainers at the park, which attracts six million visitors a year, are no longer allowed in the water with the killer whales.
Tilkum has remained at the Sea World, but does not perform.
The OSHA issued one 'wilful' citation for 'exposing its employees to hazards when interacting with killer whales'.
Happier days: Trainer Dawn Brancheau with TilikumA second citation classified as 'serious' was issued for failing to install a stairway railing system on one side of a stadium stage.
A third citation involved a failure to put weatherproof enclosures over outdoor electrical receptacles.
The findings of the OSHA were immediately challenged by SeaWorld.
A statement issued by the park said: 'OSHA's allegations in this citation are unsupported by any evidence or precedent and reflect a fundamental lack of understanding of the safety requirements associated with marine mammal care.
'Killer whales at SeaWorld are displayed under valid federal permits and under the supervision of two government agencies with directly applicable expertise.'
The SeaWorld statement also said its trainers were 'among the most skilled, trained and committed zoological professionals in the world today.'
'The fact that there have been so few incidents over more than 2 million separate interactions with killer whales is evidence not just of SeaWorld's commitment to safety, but to the success of that training and the skill and professionalism of our staff'.
The OSHA report found that trainers at the park faced danger from the killer whales.
SeaWorld recognized the inherent risk of allowing trainers to interact with potentially dangerous animals,' said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta, Georgia.
'Nonetheless, it required its employees to work within the pool walls, on ledges and on shelves where they were subject to dangerous behaviour by the animals.'
source: dailymail
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