Last week, I blogged about Disney receiving just a $44,000 fine for four safety violations following the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation into the monorail crash that killed 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, a Disney monorail operator.
Incredibly, as reported in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday, Disney and OSHA have negotiated to reduce the fine by 20%. Instead of a $44,000 fine for the four safety violations, Disney will now only have to pay $35,200. Of that amount, the fine for the safety violation that resulted in Austin Wuennenberg’s death remains at $7,000. Two separate fines for repeat safety violations in the monorail maintenance shop were reduced. A Disney spokesperson stated that Disney "worked directly with OSHA to address any concerns."
OSHA regulates Disney working conditions and safety as part of federal law. Incidently, there is no federal or state oversight of the theme parks for ride or other guest related theme park injuries. Florida and the federal government have no oversight into theme park injuries or ride injuries. If there are safety related violations on the monorail (that guests use), what safety violations exist on the rides? We will never know because there is no OSHA to enable the public to investigate theme park ride related injuries.
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