Boy Injured by Broken Glass in Amusement Park Accident

Case Overview

This case takes place in New York and involves a young boy who was severely injured while at an amusement park. The boy was enjoying a “fun house” style attraction when he entered a darkened room that contained mirrored corridors. The room was illuminated only by a strobe light, and also contained a few actors who were assigned to startle guests as they walked through the room. At some point, the boy was startled by one of the actors. He turned and sprinted back the way he came, at which point he ran headlong into one of the glass mirrors at full speed, which shattered into very large shards of glass. As a result, he suffered multiple lacerations across his hands and chest, which required stitches and hospitalization, and his injuries have resulted in permanent scarring and loss of function.

Questions to the Occupational Health and Safety expert and their responses

Please explain why you're qualified to serve as an expert reviewer of this matter.

I have 39 years of experience in engineering, engineering management, and project management for a leading specialty glass manufacturer. I have a great deal of experience with glass and feel confident I can address this case.

Are you familiar with safe alternatives to the mirror in question, such as films / screens to shatterproof glass?

Potential alternative and safer approaches to this mirror include tempered, laminated, and chemically strengthened glass. Screens and films may also be practical, considering the high-traffic nature of the room in question and the potential for accidents like the one detailed above. Relocation out of reach could also be an option, though this might interfere with the normal function of the attraction.

About the expert

This glass expert earned his BS from MIT and his Masters in Engineering from Cornell University. He is a highly qualified Program manager with extensive experience leading large, complex manufacturing process projects in glass and ceramics. Current, this expert is a private consultant focusing on glass manufacturing, glass melting, weights and measurements, glass fracturing, and more.

E-036980

Specialties:

Occupational Health and Safety