The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Silver Dollar City $14,502 in connection to the July workplace death of employee Joshua Outhouse, 31, of Galena, who apparently was working on or near the Thunderation roller coaster when he was struck in the head.
The OSHA investigation is closed. The matter involved a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding how power should be turned off and turned back on to ensure safety when working on machinery.
The code refers to “locking out” or “tagging out,” in which an employee must turn off the power to the machine being worked on — and then put an actual lock on the power switch so electricity cannot be turned back on during repair or maintenance.
The employee also must place a label near the power source explaining it has been locked out and must also put his or her name on that label.
According to federal code, the employee who does the lock out should keep the key to the lock in his or her possession, although there are exceptions.
OSHA considered the violation ‘serious’
The accident occurred on July 20.
The Hauxeda could not obtain the details of what happened that day and how the Silver Dollar city “lock out” policy might have failed.
Outhouse was taken to a hospital, where he died the next day.
OSHA considered the violation “serious.”
The wording of the violation states:
“When lockout or tagout devices temporarily were removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment was energized to test or position the machine, the employees were not removed from the machine or equipment area in accordance to paragraph (e)(2).
“After lockout or tagout devices have been removed and before a machine or equipment is started, affected employees shall be notified that the lockout or tagout device(s) have been removed.
“Each lockout or tagout device shall be removed from each energy isolating device by the employee who applied the device. Exception: When the authorized employee who applied the lockout or tagout device is not available to remove it, that device may be removed under the direction of the employer, provided that specific procedures and training for such removal have been developed, documented and incorporated into the employer's energy control program.
“The employer shall demonstrate that the specific procedure provides equivalent safety to the removal of the device by the authorized employee who applied it.”
Employees were testing Thunderation roller coaster
Another section of the OSHA citation starts with the words, “On or about July 24, 2022.” (That date is three days after the death.)
It was unclear whether the following description is of what was observed during an inspection July 24 or if it is a description of what is believed to have happened the date of the accident.
The Hauxeda sought clarification from an OSHA spokeswoman but did not hear back by the time of publication:
“Employees engaged in testing the ‘Thunderation’ roller coaster ride at the Silver Dollar City amusement park located at 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway in Branson, Missouri; were exposed to struck-by hazards in that the employer failed to develop and implement safeguarding measures when removing isolation devices or procedures that are necessary to test the equipment.
“This most recently occurred when a maintenance employee working inside the ride perimeter while the ride was in operation, and within close proximity to the track, to perform troubleshooting/maintenance of the ride.”
OSHA documents indicate Silver Dollar City took steps to correct whatever went wrong.
Outhouse’s obituary is on the Westrip Funeral Home (in Crane) Facebook Page.
“Josh was a lifelong resident of the area and was a member of the Cedar Ridge Baptist Church. He had served in the United States Army. Josh enjoyed cooking on his Blackstone, music, fishing, hunting, guns, cherry pie, board games, trapping, Jiu Jitsu and trying new beers. He was a happy person who loved life and his family.
“Josh was employed in maintenance and construction at Silver Dollar City.
“Josh is survived by his parents Del R. and Tammy of Reeds Spring, Missouri, Candice Rausch of the home and son Alex of the home, two brothers, Kurt Marler of Cape Fair, Missouri, and Roger Outhouse of Branson, Missouri, one sister Samantha Dragoo (Richard) Reeds Spring, Maternal grandmother Vonna Marler, nephews Zen and Jaxzen, other relatives and friends.”
The Hauxeda did not find any court records indicating the family has sued Silver Dollar City. The Citizen also tried to contact his parents.
Silver Dollar City released this statement following the death:
“It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of a Silver Dollar City employee following an incident that occurred while working late yesterday afternoon. He was a dedicated and passionate member of our Silver Dollar City family, having worked in Maintenance and Construction since 2017.
“Our prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
