A REPORT INTO the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of movie Rust has found the production company “knew that firearm safety procedures were not being followed on set” and “demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety”.
Rust Movie Productions has been given a fine of 136,793 US dollars (€115k), the maximum allowable by state law in New Mexico, following a six-month investigation by the state’s environment department.
Hutchins was killed on the set of the Western movie in October last year after a prop gun actor Alec Baldwin was holding was discharged.
Director Joel Souza was also wounded in the shooting on the Bonanza Creek Ranch set near Santa Fe.
The report concluded the company showed “plain indifference to the recognised hazards associated with the use of firearms on set that resulted in a fatality, severe injury, and unsafe working conditions”.
It also noted that while the film industry has “clear national guidelines” for firearms safety, Rust Movie Productions “failed to follow these guidelines or take other effective measures to protect workers”.
The guidelines require live ammunition “never to be used nor brought onto any studio lot or stage” and that safety meetings take place every day when firearms are being handled.
They also requires that employees “refrain from pointing a firearm at anyone” except after consultation with senior figures such as the armorer.
But the report concludes: “By failing to follow these practices, an avoidable loss of life occurred.”
It comes as the Hollywood actor continues to fight a number of lawsuits stemming from the incident.
Cases are being brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, head of lighting Serge Svetnoy and Ms Hutchins’ family.
Environment cabinet secretary James Kenney said: “Our investigation found that this tragic incident never would have happened if Rust Movie Productions, LLC had followed national film industry standards for firearm safety.
“This is a complete failure of the employer to follow recognized national protocols that keep employees safe.
“Employees should speak up about unsafe workplace conditions or report them anonymously to us.”
Robert Genoway, chief of the New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau Bureau, said: “As a reminder, it is illegal for any employer to retaliate against any employee who alleges a workplace safety violation.”
The bureau said the investigation involved 1,560 hours of staff time, 14 interviews and review of 566 documents.
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