SeaWorld appeals to keep trainers in water with whales
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
By: Amy Green

July 11, 2012 | WMFE - SeaWorld is fighting an OSHA citation keeping trainers out of the water during performances that feature the theme park's star attraction, killer whales. The theme park asked for a review Tuesday of a judge's ruling upholding a citation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 90.7s Amy Green reports ...

SeaWorld asked the OSHA Review Commission, an independent agency created to decide OSHA disputes, to take another look at the judge's ruling upholding the citation.

The citation requires SeaWorld to mitigate risk to trainers by, among other things, placing barriers between trainers and whales during performances.
 
The whale Tilikum drowned trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
 
But the judge's ruling applied only to performances. The judge felt direct contact with whales is necessary for the whales' health care.
 
SeaWorld argues performances are no different. The theme park says the judge disregarded evidence that it's safe for trainers to be in the water with killer whales.