OSHA cites unsafe conditions in Denver zookeeper's mauling

Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 3, 2007 at midnight

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Tougher safety rules are likely in store for keepers at the Denver Zoo after an OSHA investigation into a fatal jaguar attack on a worker in February.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today proposed $4,200 in fines for the Denver Zoo and wants changes in how keepers transfer animals between exhibits after the death of Ashlee Pfaff, 28.

OSHA didn’t cite one specific failure that led to Pfaff’s death, but said the zoo "did not develop and/or implement work protocols for zookeepers who worked in the Feline II Building and other areas where large carnivores were housed and exhibited."

For that alleged violation, deemed in the "serious" category by OSHA — midway between less significant and willful violations — the agency proposed a $3,500 fine and called on the zoo to make changes to employee procedures.

OSHA’s proposals include requiring two zookeepers to work together during transfers of dangerous animals. Before, zookeepers in the feline building worked alone in ensuring animals moved through transfer chutes to separate enclosures before entering their habitats for cleaning and feeding, according to previous statements from zoo officials.

In all, OSHA listed 10 steps it wants the zoo to take by Sept. 3 to improve keeper safety, including improving visibility into enclosures. In some cases, it appears the zoo has already been doing what OSHA asked, such as requiring two locked doors between the keeper and the animal.

The OSHA findings stand in contrast to the zoo’s own investigation, released in June, that cited "human error" in concluding Pfaff alone was at fault for the tragedy. Zoo officials said she made at least two mistakes in the minutes leading up the attack: failing to verify the animal’s location and failing to ensure two locked doors between her and the jaguar.

Denver Zoo officials declined interviews this afternoon, saying they were still reviewing the OSHA citation.

"We welcome the opportunity to partner with OSHA to strengthen our safety program," said Denver Zoo’s executive vice president Craig Piper in a statement.

OSHA area director Herb Gibson called Pfaff’s death a "tragic incident" and said the agency hopes to "work cooperatively" with the zoo to improve safety.

Gibson stressed that the case remained open, and that the zoo has the right to contest OSHA’s findings. Because of that, he said, he was limited in what he could discuss.

The agency also cited the Denver Zoo for allegedly failing to maintain OSHA injury and illness logs for zoo employees from 2004 forward, a violation that could cost the zoo an additional $700 fine.

Coincidentally, the zoo reopened the jaguar exhibit today, displaying its remaining jaguar, Caipora, a female. The exhibit had been closed since the Feb. 24 attack.

Pfaff’s family released a statement today: "The Pfaff family would like to acknowledge the effort put forth by the OSHA organization and the timeliness and fashion that we received the report. We also would like to take this opportunity to share with the public, that a Web site: www.ashleepfaff.com has been created to honor the life of Ashlee Pfaff."

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