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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 301176194 - Elitch Gardens L.P.
Inspection Information - Office: Denver Area Office
Site Address:
Elitch Gardens L.P.
701 Wewatta
Denver, CO 80202
Mailing Address:
299 Walnut Street, Denver, CO 80202
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:7996
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: Y
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 01/29/1998
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 08/10/1998
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101570323 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 7 | 2 | 9 | |||
| Current Violations | 7 | 2 | 9 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $32,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $32,500 |
| Current Penalty | $24,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $24,375 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 01/30/1998 | 03/19/1998 | $3,750 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 5A0001 | 01/30/1998 | 01/30/1998 | $3,750 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100023 C01 | 01/30/1998 | 03/19/1998 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100147 C01 | 01/30/1998 | 04/19/1998 | $3,750 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100147 C04 I | 01/30/1998 | 04/19/1998 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19100147 C05 IID | 01/30/1998 | 02/11/1998 | $1,875 | $2,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 7. | 01007 | Serious | 19100147 C07 I | 01/30/1998 | 04/19/1998 | $2,250 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 8. | 02001 | Other | 19040002 B02 | 01/30/1998 | 02/04/1998 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 9. | 02002 | Other | 19100303 G02 I | 01/30/1998 | 01/30/1998 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On the morning of August 2, 1997, one employee began a typical day which included the testing of a roller coaster ride called Sidewinder. This procedure occurs daily prior to opening the amusement ride to the public. The employee inserted an override key into a switch located under the Mainside operator's control panel to eliminate the need for two operators to cycle the train back and forth. This override mechanism was not installed by the manufacturer of the ride. After he finished checking out the ride, he left for other duties. A few minutes later, three workers took their positions at the Sidewinder in preparation to open the ride to the public. Employee #1 was positioned at the "Farside" station while two additional employees were positioned at the Mainside station approximately 600 feet away. The three employees are required to cycle the train back and forth a couple of times prior to its use by the public. One operator launched the train from the Mainside station to the Farside station. Under normal working conditions, the train is not capable of being launched back to the Mainside station until the Farside operator pushes a button on the Farside control panel which sends a lighted signal to the Mainside operator's control panel indicating that it's "ok". The Sidewinder may have been left in the override mode, which automatically sends the Mainside control operator an "ok" to return signal. For an unknown reason Employee #1, the Farside operator, had left the control booth and stepped into one of the train cars. While Employee #1 was stepping into one of the cars, the Mainside operator pushed the launch button on the Mainside control panel which sent the train back to the Mainside station. The Mainside operator noted and told his coworker that Employee #1 had fallen from her workstation which is approximately 60 feet above the ground. Employee #1 died of massive injuries.
Keywords: AMUSE PARK/CARNIVAL, LACERATION, FALL, AMUSEMENT RIDE, TRAIN
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301176194 | Fatality | Other | Occupation not reported |