Inspection Detail

Inspection: 315344713 - Sea World San Diego

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 7:00 a.m. on May 15, 2012, Employee #1, a ride mechanic, was working at an amusement park in San Diego. The employee's job was to do a visual inspection of the Wild Arctic ride. Employee #1 noticed a fluid leak around a bolt over the hydraulic oil filter, and brought it to the attention of the other two mechanics. Before the other two mechanics could come over, Employee #1 used a ratchet drive and 5/8 in. socket to try to tighten the bolt. The ratchet was in the off position, and the bolt released from the filter under pressure from the hydraulic system, about 2500 psi. The employee suffered serious injury when the high pressure filter bolt that he was tightening disengaged from the filter holder and struck the employee in the face. Employee #1 was transported to UCSD Medical Center, where he remains hospitalized.

Keywords: LEAK, STUCK, HYDRAULIC FLUID, MECHANIC, LUBRICATING FLUID, BOLT, STRUCK BY, FACE, PRESSURE RELEASE