The production company behind the film “Rust” has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set last October, which involved actor Alec Baldwin.
The agreement was reached between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the production company, Rust Movie Productions LLC, following an investigation into the incident.
According to OSHA, Rust Movie Productions failed to provide a safe workplace environment and did not implement necessary safety measures to protect employees from the hazards of handling firearms on set.
The shooting occurred during a rehearsal scene in which Baldwin was handed a revolver that he believed was loaded with blanks. However, the gun was loaded with a live round and when Baldwin pulled the trigger, it discharged and struck Hutchins, who later died from her injuries.
In addition to the fine, Rust Movie Productions has agreed to implement several safety measures, including hiring a safety consultant to oversee firearms safety on set and providing safety training to all employees involved in handling firearms.
A separate investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing and may result in criminal charges against individuals involved in the incident.
The tragic shooting has led to increased scrutiny of safety measures on film sets and sparked renewed calls for stricter regulations to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
