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New Mexico's worker safety bureau last year
levied its maximum possible fine against Rust Movie Productions
(RMP) for what it called the firm's "plain indifference" to
hazards from weapons mishandling and accidental firearms
discharges on set.
Hutchins was killed when actor Alec Baldwin fired a live round
from a gun he was using during a rehearsal. Director Joel Souza
was injured.
"RMP violated workplace safety laws by exposing employees to
being struck by discharged rounds or projectiles when firearms
were used on the set," the state's Occupational Health and
Safety Bureau (OHSB) said in a statement.
Under the settlement, RMP's fine marked the largest workplace
safety penalty in over a decade in New Mexico but was reduced
from an original citation of $136,793, according to the OHSB.
"Our top priority has always been resuming production and
completing this film so we can honor the life and work of Halyna
Hutchins," Melina Spadone, a lawyer for RMP said in a statement.
"Settling this case rather than litigating is how we can best
move forward."
Rust's armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has criticized the film's
producers for failing to provide enough time for firearms
training. She told the OHSB on Dec. 7 Baldwin's lack of
knowledge and "poor form" using a revolver may have led to the
accidental discharge that killed Hutchins.
Rust Line Producer Gabrielle Pickle told the agency on Dec. 20
Gutierrez-Reed's requests for extra armorer days were granted.
Gutierrez-Reed, who mistakenly loaded a live round into the gun
Baldwin fired, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
At her first court appearance on Friday her lawyer said she
would plead not guilty. Baldwin on Thursday pleaded not guilty
to the same charge.
(Reporting By Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by Aurora
Ellis and Chris Reese)
(Photo: An image of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died
after being shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie "Rust",
is displayed at a vigil in her honour in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, U.S., October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt)
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