Disney's Report on Safety
Park issues new company-wide
report
Wednesday, June 5, 2002
by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, staff writer
One day after the Walt Disney Company settled a lawsuit with a woman
who claims she was injured while riding the Indiana Jones Adventure ride
at Disneyland, Disney released its new, company-wide report on safety.
Disneyland Resort President Cynthia Harriss greets the media.
Disney's report is a glossy 30-page, full-color booklet, and is available
to the public online in PDF format from their Web site (link).
The booklet is designed to raise public awareness of the steps the company
has taken to improve safety programs at its domestic resorts. According
to Paul Pressler, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, international
resorts "are governed by different laws, regulations and ownership
structures," are not specifically included in the report.
The report addresses everything from lifeguard and CPR training; food
handling and security/emergency response issues; cast safety; attraction
safety; as well as ocean safety on the Disney Cruise Line.
The booklet documents the safety programs in place at each of the Disney
resorts, from bag and package inspections at the main gates to attraction
maintenance and ride design. One section is devoted to steps that guests
can take to increase their personal safety, from planning ahead to reading
and following instructional signs.
A Disneyland Resort nurse and new safety chief Greg Hale display an
AED device.
Public awareness and self-responsibility were key themes in the press
conference. "In an environment of heightened awareness and increased
attention to safety and security, especially following the events of September
11th, we think it is important for our guests to understand our programs
and have the information they need to make safe choices for their families,"
said Pressler.
Leslie Goodman, a spokeswoman for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said
that there are a number of common-sense steps visitors can take to enhance
their safety. Her suggestions include wearing sunscreen to avoid sunburns,
wearing appropriate clothing - nothing that could be caught in moving
machinery, and planning ahead to know which rides are appropriate for
family members.
The press conference also introduced Greg Hale, the newly appointed
Chief Safety Officer for the Walt Disney Company. Hale, the former Vice
President of Design and Engineering at Walt Disney World, will report
directly to Pressler. His job will be to oversee the global safety program,
and to monitor compliance with regulatory requirements. Hale is also the
chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
Safety and Maintenance Committee.
A CM demonstrates Goofy's Magic Measure.
The company recently began implementing safety measures at its parks,
including Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. One example is
Goofy's Magic Measure, the ultrasonic height measuring system, which allows
visitors to check their child's height just once in a visit. Children
are issued a color-coded wristband that identifies the attractions they
are allowed to ride. Armed with this knowledge at the beginning of the
visit, Disney officials say guests will be able to tailor their day around
the attractions accessible to them. [For more details, read the description
of this system in Adrienne Krock's Parenting
in the Parks column.]
Another example is the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which now
uses station gates and more visible platform stripes. Disney has installed
over 600 automated external defibrillators (AEDs), throughout its domestic
resorts, hotels, and cruise ships. These units analyze the heart rhythm
of a patient suspected of being in cardiac arrest, and deliver an electric
jolt if necessary. Over 4000 Disney employees have been trained in the
use of the devices, and Disney credits the AEDs with saving six lives.
Behind-the-scenes in the California Screamin' maintenance bay.
Park officials were especially proud of the dozens of safety features
in use at the California Screamin' roller coaster, including redundant
power and computer systems, station gates, and parallel ride control panels,
which they touted as the cutting edge in attraction safety.
Asked whether the booklet and safety awareness campaign were in response
to a specific accident or settlement, Pressler said they were not, indicating
that Disney has a new attitude in handling media inquiries about safety
and accidents.
New safety features for Pirates of the Caribbean include station gates
Despite the glossy report and the new campaign, cast members report
off the record that this new focus on safety has not really changed the
way they do their jobs. One said, "This isn't anything new, we're
just telling the world about it. We have always had safety training, there
are always memos and posters and meetings." Another said that she
doubts that management will be any more responsive to cast member concerns
than they have been in the past.
A repair checklist, posted in the maintenance bay of the California Screamin'
ride, seems to bear witness to the above concern. One item listed reports,
"The back roll up door is dangerous. If you take your hand off the
handle, someone will get hurt." The comments box reads simply, "Installed
per spec." The door may cause an injury, but at least it was installed
correctly. (Al Lutz also reports some off the record cast member comments
in his latest update today.)
This new public awareness campaign may help to educate the public about
safety, but it also threatens to strip away the "magic" that
shrouds daily park operations. Asked whether this level of disclosure
really necessary, one employee said, "Yes, in today's climate, it
is. Safety has always come before Show. People need to know that they
can't leave their brains at the gates. We are showing guests everything
we are doing to keep them safe, but it's a partnership. They need to be
aware that they need to do their part."
Thoughts, questions, or comments? Contact Adrienne here.
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