Thursday, August 28, 2014

OSHA Cites Film Company for Safety Violations After Crew Death

OSHA has cited a film production company called Film Allman LLC for safety violations that lead to the death on the set of the Gregg Allman biopic, “Midnight Rider”.

Sarah Jones, a 27-year-old camera assistant, was killed in February when a train came on to a bridge during filming in Georgia. Several other crewmembers were injured during the incident. OSHA said in a news release that the production company failed to provide safety measures to protect the employees from trains and exposed workers to fall hazards with penalties totaling $74,900. 

Last month, filmmakers Randall Miller and his wife Jody Savin were charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass in connection with the incident. Both have pleaded not guilty. A third filmmaker was also charged and but has yet to be arraigned.

"Employers are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to protect workers' health and safety, and the entertainment industry is no exception," says OSHA Administrator David Michaels.

Read more about safety in the entertainment industry in a recent PS Asks interview.