Media Releases
Failed ‘lock out’ procedure led to lion mauling
10 February 2006
Wellington Zoo Trust is improving its safety systems and procedures, after lions mauled a zookeeper last month.
The Department of Labour has completed its investigation into the 10 January incident. It’s found the injured keeper was partly responsible for the incident, because he failed to follow safety procedures.
The keeper was mauled by two lions after he failed to lock out the animals as he entered their enclosure. The zoo’s safety policy stated that people entering the lions’ enclosure needed to double-check the locks.
The Department found the keeper had mistakenly assumed an animal trainer, who had accompanied him into the enclosure to move the lions and then left, had locked a gate between the lions’ den and the main enclosure the keeper was servicing. The lions pushed open the unlocked gate and mauled the man for about five minutes before they were distracted and he escaped.
Department chief advisor, health and safety Mike Cosman said the keeper was well aware of the requirement for the person entering the enclosure to check all locks at least twice.
“This man had worked at the zoo for 20 years and he was familiar with the safety procedures. On this one occasion he failed to check the locks, and suffered more than 20 puncture wounds and had to undergo skin grafts, as a result.
“The accepted practice was that the person entering the enclosure was responsible for checking the locks, not the person exiting. Had this been done the incident would not have happened.”
While the keeper was partially responsible for the incident, the zoo recognised relying almost entirely on the actions of the keeper was inadequate as a safety mechanism, Mr Cosman said.
“The zoo was aware that the gate between the main enclosure and the den could be opened if unlocked, but had believed that the ‘lock out’ procedure was sufficient.
“After this incident, the zoo immediately changed to its policy to improve workers’ safety.”
The Department has agreed with three safety recommendations made by the Wellington Zoo Trust: that the gate between the den and the main enclosure be redesigned to make it more difficult for the lions to open; that it became more visibly obvious whether gates were locked; and staff retraining.
The Department will follow up with the zoo later this month to ensure the recommendations have been carried out.
Mr Cosman said the zookeeper was recovering well at home, and was expected to return to work later this month.
“This incident should serve as a reminder to people in this industry
that they are dealing with wild animals, with unpredictable behaviour, and
that vigilance is a must at all times.”
To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly
referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred
to as the Department of Labour.
ENDS
