Factual errors abound as OSHA report on SeaWorld Orlando killer whale trainer death is released

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.examiner.com/theme-parks-in-orlando/factual-errors-abound-as-osha-report-on-seaworld-orlando-killer-whale-trainer-death-is-released

August 23rd, 2010 4:41 pm ET

OSHA today released its findings on the death of killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau earlier this year. The main item being toued in the news is a $75,000 fine and OSHA's finding that SeaWorld exposed its trainers to unsafe conditions. One would presume that people who sign on to train huge orcas and interact with them in the water know they are exposing themselves to danger, just as people enter coal mines or run into blazing buildings on the job every day. Regardless, in reading news reports from a number of outlets, I notice many glaring factual errors. Here are the two most common fallacies:

1) Orca Tilly killed two other people prior to killing Dawn. In reality, he was one of three whales involved in a human death at another park. At SeaWorld, a homeless man snuck in after hours and entered his pool. He died of exposure, not due to a Tilly attack.

2) Dawn was killed during a public show in a packed stadium. The accident actually happened after Dine With Shamu, an event with limited attendance in which guests enjoyeda buffet and watching the trainers interact with the killer whales. The show was over and most people were gone, although some did see what was happening from an under water viewing area.

SeaWorld posted a response to the OSHA findings on its blog at http://www.seaworldparksblog.com/ In the meantime, its shows continue with the trainers working outside of the water. It's not clear whether the spectacular in-water interactions will ever resume.

Click here for the touching reason trainer Dawn Brancheau was growing her hair long prior to her death. Click here to see the little memorial tribute that appeared near the park entrance after her death. Click here to read more of my articles, and click here to follow me on Twitter.