OSHA cites Cedar Point and Castaway Bay, proposes $185,000 in penalties

SANDUSKY-- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed $185,000 in fines against Cedar Fair, a limited partnership doing business as Cedar Point, and its waterpark-hotel, Castaway Bay, here.

OSHA has issued three willful citations, alleging violations of federal safety and health standards.

Specifically, OSHA charged Cedar Fair with failing to provide fall protection on two roller coasters at Cedar Point, not offering employees vaccinations for Hepatitis B and failing to conduct an adequate employee exposure determination for lifeguards as required by the bloodborne pathogen health standard.

Serious violations totaling $5,000 allege inadequate blood-borne pathogen training and improper use of electrical equipment.

"Falls remain one of the key causes of workplace injury and death," said Jule Hovi, director of OSHA's area office in Toledo, Ohio. "Employer indifference to proven approaches to preventing such accidents is unacceptable."

Cedar Fair LP employs more than 30,000 individuals in amusement and water parks located in eight states, including Aurora, Ohio and several other locations in Ohio and California.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.