Protected contact uses a barrier between elephants and employees, as well as positive reinforcement.

PETA Petitions OSHA for Elephant Protected Contact Rule

The organization's petition is itself elephantine, filling 240 pages with exhibits, articles, and appendices, one of which is a proposed regulation.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, filed a petition March 24 asking OSHA to enact a regulation prohibiting direct physical contact between employees and elephants in any type of business where elephants are in captivity -- zoos, circuses, etc. Submitted by Delcianna Winders, PETA's director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement, the petition asks OSHA to promulgate a regulation, issue enforcement guidance saying direct contact is prohibited under the General Duty Clause, and ask a Washington, D.C. federal court to immediately require a protective barrier for all contact with elephants.

The organization said it acted on the same day that the Knoxville (Tenn.) Zoo announced it will switch to "protected contact" after an elephant handler was killed in January. Winders' petition -- it fills 240 pages including appendices, exhibits, and other documents -- contains extensive information about protected contact and lists many incidents in which elephant handlers in direct-contact situations have been injured or killed in the United States in recent years.

The petition notes that being an elephant handler is an extremely dangerous job, with a fatality rate above commercial fishing and far higher than the rate for typical workers, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report issued in 1997.

"In contrast to free contact, protected contact (or 'PC') relies on positive reinforcement and all interactions occur through a protective barrier, such as a fence or cage," the petition states. "As defined by one of its creators, Protected contact is a system for managing elephants that uses positive reinforcement training as the primary method to modify behavior and gain the voluntary cooperation of the animal. Physical punishment is prohibited. Directing the positioning and movement of the elephant and shaping behavior is achieved through the use of targets. Keeper safety is achieved by elephant and keeper positioning relative to each other and to a barrier, which typically separates human and animal spaces. Trainers function outside the elephant social hierarchy and do not attempt to establish a position of social dominance."

Download Center

  • Hand Safety Program

    Hand injuries are the #1 preventable industrial accident worldwide. In REThink Hand Safety, the most comprehensive book on hand safety, you'll learn how top companies have reduced hand injuries by up to 90% and what the most successful hand safety programs have in common. Get your free copy today.

  • Free 1-on-1 Consultations

    Get a free meeting with a Superior Glove hand safety expert and learn how to have less hand injuries, lower PPE costs, and increase worker productivity. 1-on-1 consultations provide you with personalized advice and recommendations for your specific needs and concerns.

  • Glove 101 Guide

    In this comprehensive guide, we've compiled all the key information you need to know about safety gloves to help you make informed decisions when choosing gloves for your workers. Whether you're new to the world of safety gloves or an experienced pro, this guide has something for everyone.

  • Sample Program

    Find the right safety gloves for your team and try before you buy—in just 3 easy steps! Simply add the products to your sample box, complete the request form, and wait for your samples to arrive at no cost to you.

  • Cut Protection Product Guide

    Find the right safety gloves for your workers to protect them from cut hazards. This guide offers a wide selection of gloves, including ultra-thin gloves with the industry’s maximum cut resistance for unbeatable dexterity and touch sensitivity.

  • Superior Glove

Featured Whitepaper

OH&S Digital Edition

  • OHS Magazine Digital Edition - February March 2023

    February March 2023

    Featuring:

    • IH: GAS DETECTION
      Does Real-Time Data Enhance Gas Detection Programs?
    • PPE: HEARING PROTECTION
      Hearing Protection: The Dangers of Non-Compliance
    • PPE: PROTECTIVE APPAREL
      Personal Protective Equipment: The Pains of Staying Pain-Free
    • CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
      Reframing Eyewear: Meeting Workforce Needs with Technology and Advancements
    View This Issue