[Park Hopper]

WDW was fined $6,300 for the death of a worker dressed as pluto who was run over by a parade float. Here's the Associated Press story:

Walt Disney Entertainment has been fined $6,300 by a federal agency for the death of a worker dressed as Pluto who was run over and killed by a float as it entered a Magic Kingdom parade, officials said Wednesday.

The right foot of Javier Cruz, 38, became caught between the second and third sections of a three-part float as it was about to enter the parade route from a backstage area for the afternoon “Share a Dream Come True” parade last February. His body got twisted around and he fell down.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the citation categorized as “serious” because employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by motorized vehicles, according to OSHA. The maximum penalty for a “serious” citation is $7,000, although the agency issues citations as high as $70,000 for repeat violators or if the violation was considered “willful.”
Disney has 15 days to contest the citation or request a hearing before an administrative judge, said Les Grove, OSHA's area director in Tampa.

Disney has until Aug. 20 to show OSHA that it has made changes to prevent a similar accident from happening again. Among the measures that would meet that criteria are creating barriers between floats and making sure parade procedures are followed properly, Grove said.

In a statement, Disney spokeswoman Veronica Clemons said officials at the theme park resort planned to review safety measures with OSHA officials.
“The safety and security of our guests and cast members is a top priority,” the statement said. “We continue to keep Javier Cruz's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.”

Donna-Lynne Dalton, recording secretary for Teamsters Local 385, which represents costumed workers at Disney World, said she was pleased with the measures Disney has been taking since the accident.

“Once in a while you find that the company isn't just about money,” she said. “It's rare.”

[Dana]

I am sure that WDW will take the proper actions to ensure that the safety procedures are followed to the letter. How sad that poor man had to lose his life. My thoughts are with his family. Thanks for the update on that Park Hopper.

[inluvwithdisney]

So sorry to hear of the man's death!!!! I am glad Disney takes instances as this so serious!!!

[Curtis]

Originally Posted by inluvwithdisney

So sorry to hear of the man's death!!!! I am glad Disney takes instances as this so serious!!!

What else would you expect? It would be business suicide if they didn't from a PR and union standpoint. I won't congratulate them, for partaking in some serious CYA...

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Curtis

What else would you expect? It would be business suicide if they didn't from a PR and union standpoint. I won't congratulate them, for partaking in some serious CYA...

Curtis:

Has anyone ever accused you of being cynical?

Actually, my favorite part was when the Teamsters woman said, "Once in a while you find that the company isn't just about money"

Man, you wanna talk about you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. What a load of baloney.

The day Disney isn't about money is the day they allow people to eat for free.

[Curtis]

Cynical? Nope. Overly realistic? All the time....;)

[MerlinMatt]

Hmmm... the ultimate pragmatist, eh?

[Curtis]

Not overly practical, but when it comes to calling a spade a spade, I have no reservation in doing so.

[roxie]

I'd have to go with you, Matt. Cynical.

[Curtis]

Originally Posted by aecox

I'd have to go with you, Matt. Cynical.

Better than an aplogist, I suppose...If living my life, minus blinders is cynical, I'll have to check dictionary.com again, because I've misunderstood the definition, all my life...

[roxie]

Here, I saved you the trouble -

1. Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others: a cynical dismissal of the politician's promise to reform the campaign finance system.
2. Selfishly or callously calculating: showed a cynical disregard for the safety of his troops in his efforts to advance his reputation.
3. Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness: a cynical view of the average voter's intelligence.
4. Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity: cynical laughter.

But you know what, I have always been called cynical by everyone I know. The way I look at it, if you are a little skeptical, it's harder to have the wool pulled over your eyes! So I am overly realistic right there with you :)

[Curtis]

That seals it. I am not cynical...I will readily admit I am a skeptic, but not a cynic...lol.

[roxie]

Glad I helped - don't let anyone call you a cynic again :)

[Metalfan]

Wow...$6,300? Disney makes that in about 30 seconds? lol

[delmarjohn]

Let's see,disney supposedly used CYA to protect themselves from this.Does anyone seriously think that disney purposely does things carelessly so they can harm and possibly KILL patrons ,I am sure this is the marketing plan to increase business and profits.........NO company does these things seriously ,they don't want these headaches ...they are run by humans and humans sometimes make mistakes ...that is how we learn and plan to prevent similiar accidents in the future....finally ..how many parades and shows and fireworks etc. have they done over the years and NO ONE got hurt this is a feak thing and hopefully it will not happen again not only fordisneys sake but also for ours since we are all BIG disney fans