Giannini: The Show Must go on..But in a Safe Way..
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
It's been almost a year since the tragic accident of Sunday, May, 4, 2014 when the trapeze collapsed at the Ringling Brothers Circus injuring at least 8 circus workers, who were performing at the Dunkin Donuts Center.
The women involved in the accident apparently were performing a stunt where they hang from their hair to resemble a "human chandelier" when the circus equipment failed and sent all the eight women crashing about 20 feet to the ground with a shocked audience watching.
Many were seriously injured and sustained permanent injuries. We now learn that Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus has agreed to implement several safety measures to improve the safety of their aerial acts according to the Occupational Safety and Health administration .
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe new safety measures are part of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor. They will also pay a $7,000 fine issued by OSHA and submit proof that all new safety measures have been implemented.
The focus of the accident has been on the malfunction of the circus equipment which was a broken clasp that is the property of the circus. The metal clasp broke because it was "improperly loaded ... In violation of industry practice and the carabiner manufacturer's instructions," OSHA found. "This catastrophic failure by Ringling Bros...clearly demonstrates that the circus industry needs a systematic design approach for the structures used in performances," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for Occupational safety and health.
So is that it? Is OSHA fining them $7,000 and trusting them to implement and inspect their own safety measures? Will the same act be permitted that is called the "human chandelier" where the women hang from their hair? I know I couldn't bear to watch it now after remembering what happened last year and constantly seeing replays of the accident in television. I remember reading last year that Ringling Bros. originally contesting the OSHA citation saying they were not reprising the act in the future. But now it seems that has changed and that the act will go on. Or will it? That remains unclear because it has not stated if the same act will or will not be performed this year.
As stated in a previous article in GoLocalProv last year, it seems there are regulations for state inspectors to inspect the circus animals for safety by the Department of Environmental Management and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals but apparently no inspection of the circus equipment. State law requires inspections when there are amusement rides involved as stated in section 23-34, 1-16' "Bazaars, fairs and circuses shall not be inspected under these regulations unless, and only to the extent that such bazaars, fairs and circuses, have amusement rides or devices associated with them."
So it seems that the circus will continue to be responsible for inspecting their own equipment for safety for their performers. Which brings up another question, shouldn't there be a new law to have the circus equipment inspected by another state,city or federal agency to ensure the safety of the circus performers before they perform like there is for ensuring the circus animals safety?
There seems to be a gap in Rhode Island laws regarding this issue. This isn't "feel good legislation" or unnecessary legislation but protective legislation. The circus is coming to town this week and many families are looking forward to it.
But I can't help thinking of the eight women who were injured that day and remembering their agony as they told of their injuries. I also remember the horror of the audience, many young children, as they witnessed the accident.
The circus has always been a yearly tradition for many families. In these days of video games, high technology, high definition TV and the internet, the circus remains a good old fashioned family way to spend an afternoon. Many enjoy it and it should be preserved for the enjoyment of future families also. But it should also be safe environment. It should be safe for the performers and safe for the audience.
Some of the circus performers are still undergoing operations and some have gone on to perform elsewhere. It's a story that many of us will not forget. The courageous attitude of the performers, the great work of the doctors, nurses and public safety crew will not be forgotten.
The prevention of another accident is key not only to the performers and audience but to the survival of the circus as a form of entertainment.
The Show must go on but in a safe way.
Joanne Giannini served as a RI State Representative from Providence from 1994 to 2010. She has previously written commentaries for the Providence Journal and the Federal Hill Gazette. During her tenure in the General Assembly, she made appearances on CNN, Primetime News, and American Morning regarding legislation she filed in Rhode Island.
Related Slideshow: Circus Accident at the Dunkin’ Donut Center
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