As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I have seen the glitz and the grit of Hollywood, from the red carpets to the backstage chaos. However, nothing is more disheartening than witnessing a tragedy like this one that befalls our unsung heroes – the hardworking crew members who bring the magic to life on screen.
Disney was penalized with a $36,000 fine following an unfortunate incident where a crew member working on the “Wonder Man” Marvel series fell fatally in February.
On February 6, J.C. “Spike” Osorio, a skilled lighting technician, tragically passed away following a fall through a decayed catwalk situated at Stage 3 of the Radford Studio Center in Studio City.
The investigation by Cal/OSHA found that a part of the catwalk’s wooden structure was in a state of disrepair and had been incorrectly affixed to a rooftop beam.
“The old and worn-out record book may have been weakened by factors such as age, exposure to harsh conditions, and continuous pressure over a long period. One worker was on a part of the catwalk that had become weak due to this deterioration. Without any prior indication, the support for the floorboard cracked and gave way beneath the worker who was standing there. This caused him to fall a total of 41 feet, landing hard on the ground below.”
Based on my findings, the story I was told by a witness and two IATSE officials back in February has been corroborated. This tragic incident served as a wake-up call for numerous film studios, leading them to make significant upgrades to their catwalks. As a movie buff, it’s heartening to see safety measures being prioritized behind the scenes.
On August 6th, the safety agency for workplaces handed out two “significant” penalties against Disney, via its production company, Ionic Productions.
Each citation comes with a suggested fine of $18,000. However, the highest fine the agency can impose for a severe violation is $25,000.
California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) handed out two fines totalling $22,500 each to Radford Studio Center, resulting in a combined penalty of $81,000 for both companies.
The businesses are given 15 working days to lodge an appeal with the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board. However, Disney chose not to provide a statement, indicating that they intend to file an appeal.
In May, the wife of the late Osorio, Joanne Osorio-Wu, along with his mother, Zoila Osorio, initiated a lawsuit alleging wrongful death against Radford Studio Center. They are requesting an undisclosed amount in compensation.
The lawsuit claims that the building was aware, or reasonably expected to be aware, that the catwalks were in a state of disrepair and urgently needed maintenance.
Erika Contreras, the family’s attorney, stated that the findings from the investigation support the claims made in the civil lawsuit.
“Contreras stated that the citations from OSHA on Radford Studio Center clearly indicate that Mr. Osorio’s death was completely avoidable. Furthermore, it shows that Radford Studio Center neglected its non-negotiable responsibility to keep their premises safe by not maintaining, repairing, and inspecting them properly. Sadly, Mr. Osorio lost his life due to Radford’s negligence.”
In July, Radford’s legal team responded to the lawsuit by presenting standard defense arguments. These included the possibility that the accident might have been due to Osorio’s carelessness, as well as the carelessness of others.
In the year 2021, ViacomCBS sold the facility to Hackman Capital Partners for a price tag of $1.85 billion. The company then unveiled plans worth $1 billion aimed at upgrading and revitalizing the property. In their proposal, they described the facility as showing signs of age and outdated technology due to decades of insufficient investment.
Hackman also declined to comment.
“In February, the company expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Juan ‘Spike’ Osorio, extending their sincere sympathies to his loved ones. They remain committed to assisting with the ongoing investigations.”
Osorio was a member of IATSE Local 728.
“IATSE Local 728 expresses its gratitude to Cal/OSHA for their dedication towards ensuring safer work environments,” the union stated in a press release. “The unfortunate death of Spike was avoidable, and we believe everyone deserves to return home safely after a day’s work. While we acknowledge the efforts made by major studios in upgrading their soundstages following this tragedy, it is concerning that some non-Union facilities may lack the necessary resources and oversight to implement these safety measures. We remain steadfast in our mission to prioritize the wellbeing of our members, and ensuring employers adhere to their legally mandated duty of providing a hazard-free workplace. Our thoughts continue to be with Spike’s family and his crew; the loss is profound.”
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2024-08-23 23:17