Looking at this story about a particular bluff in Oregon's Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, is there an analogy to be made about research lab safety?
The "Pedestal Rock" is on a notorious sandstone bluff at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, which is fenced off and bordered by signs warning people not to go there.
Seven people have died in the area since 2009. Six fatal falls have taken place during the past two years. Rescue efforts by the local fire district and U.S. Coast Guard cost upward of $21,000 per hour, often topping out near $106,000.
Yet people continue to flood past the fence and signs. Adults, teenagers, grandparents, photographers and even parents with small children disregard the warnings.
"We're not seeing much confusion about what the current signs and fence mean," said Chris Havel, spokesman for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. "Even people who are aware of the deaths walk right past the fence and signs into that area. They appear confident that what happened to other people won't happen to them." ...
Starting last month, [Park Ranger Lisa Stevenson] patrols the fence at Cape Kiwanda. Leading with friendliness and facts, she looks to start a dialogue rather than a confrontation, even when people don't want to hear it.