On February 6, tragedy struck on the set of Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man at Radford Studios in Studio City. Juan Carlos Osorio, a 41-year-old rigger, lost his life while collecting and removing lighting cable equipment high up on Stage 3. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) report revealed that Osorio fell 41 feet to the ground after standing on a weakened section of the catwalk. Despite the efforts of emergency medical services, Osorio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Disney, the parent company of Marvel Studios, was fined $36,000 as a result of the CAL/OSHA ruling. This tragic incident shed light on the importance of workplace safety, particularly in the entertainment industry where production crews often work in hazardous conditions. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 728, to which Osorio belonged, expressed their gratitude to CAL/OSHA for their commitment to ensuring safer workplaces. They emphasized the need for all studios, both union and non-union, to prioritize the safety of their workers.
The CAL/OSHA report detailed the sequence of events that led to Osorio’s untimely death. Working on wooden catwalks with his crew, Osorio stepped onto a deteriorated section of the catwalk, causing the ledger supporting the floorboard to collapse. The structural failure, attributed to age, environmental conditions, and repeated stress loads, resulted in Osorio falling to the ground with fatal injuries. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of workplace structures to prevent such accidents.
The death of Juan Carlos Osorio highlights the inherent risks associated with working in the film and television industry. While major studios have made efforts to retrofit soundstages for safety, there is still work to be done, especially in non-Union facilities. The responsibility falls on employers to ensure that their workplaces are free from hazards and compliant with federal safety regulations. This incident serves as a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize the well-being of its workers above all else.
The loss of Juan Carlos Osorio on the set of Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by those working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. As investigations continue and safety measures are reevaluated, it is crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize the safety and well-being of their workers. Juan Carlos Osorio’s memory must serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring that no more lives are lost in preventable workplace accidents.
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