OSHA Fines Animals of Montana Inc. For Death Of Employee

Back in November of last year a young man was killed while cleaning a grizzly bear enclosure.  After a few months of investigation OSHA has fined the wildlife casting agency $9000. 

According to the U.S. Department of labor:

OSHA cited Animals of Montana for one serious violation for allowing employees to have unrestricted, direct contact with grizzly bears. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

 

The company was also cited for one other-than-serious violation involving the failure to report an occupational fatality within eight hours.An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

 

The two citations carry a total of $9,000 in proposed fines. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.