OSHA investigating Dorney Park after employee is hospitalized

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom after an employee was hospitalized in July.

The inspection detail posted online states the case was opened July 22 at the South Whitehall Township amusement park and focuses on health-related issues.

OSHA spokeswoman Lenore Uddyback-Fortson said the investigation is ongoing, adding the federal agency has six months to conduct the inspection and release its findings. Uddyback-Fortson declined to comment on the nature of the investigation or why the Dorney Park employee needed to be hospitalized.

Carrie Basta Stoltzfus, Dorney Park's communications manager, said it is company policy not to comment on personnel matters. Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. owns and operates Dorney Park.

This incident is separate from one involving an employee in summer 2014.

OSHA announced Dec. 29 it was citing Cedar Fair for failing to protect workers at Dorney Park from heat hazards and illness, as well as record-keeping violations. The citations, totaling $9,000, followed an investigation prompted by complaints about a teenage worker collapsing on the job.

In January, Cedar Fair filed a notice to challenge the violations.

According to the inspection detail posted online, those violations remain "under contest." Uddyback-Fortson said that case is headed for litigation unless a settlement is reached.