Ringling Bros. to enhance safety protocol after Providence incident
By News Staff
Ringling Bros. says it is enhancing its safety procedures in all of its aerial acts after 9 of its employees were injured in a fall last year in Providence.
During a hair-hanging act at a Ringling Bros. performance last May at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, 8 acrobats plummeted over 15 feet to the ground, injuring 9 workers overall.
The investigation, which included the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, determined that the carabiner used to lift performers was not loaded according to manufacturer’s instructions.
OSHA cited the circus in that case, which will have to pay the full OSHA fine of $7,000. The circus also has taken ongoing safety enhancements as part of its settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Under the settlement, the circus agrees to take the following actions on an ongoing basis:
• All new and existing aerial acts will be reviewed by a registered professional engineer.
• For each act, assemble and provide to each circus unit a technical book.
• Develop a written checklist for equipment and hardware inspections for each act.
• Each circus unit will conduct an annual safety day that will address employee safety topics.
© WLNE-TV 2015
