According to a report released on Wednesday by the New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health & Safety Bureau, it is alleged that the crew on the set of the film Rust “willfully violated” safety rules, which resulted in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, allegedly committed by actor and producer Alec Baldwin.
The New Mexico workplace safety regulators imposed the maximum possible fine on a film production company for firearms safety violations. According to the report, gun safety regulations were allegedly not followed on set. It is also alleged that the film’s management team was aware of this yet did nothing to correct the problem.
The Rust Movie Productions, LLC was fined nearly $137,000 – the maximum allowed by New Mexico Law and was issued the highest-level citation for their alleged actions.
“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,” said Environment Cabinet Secretary James Kenney.
Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas in a statement to CNN regarding the report, said, “We are grateful to the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau for investigating this matter. We appreciate that the report exonerates Mr. Baldwin by making clear that he believed the gun held only dummy rounds and that his authority on the production was limited to approving script changes and creative casting. Mr. Baldwin had no authority over the matters that were the subject of the Bureau’s findings of violations, and we are pleased that the New Mexico authorities have clarified these critical issues. We are confident that the individuals identified in the report will be held accountable for this tragedy.”
The attorneys for Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer, also released a statement obtained by CNN, “Hannah Gutierrez Reed was not provided adequate time or resources to conduct her job effectively, despite her voiced concerns. Critically, OSHA also determined that production failed to call Hannah in to perform her armorer duties and inspect the firearm right before its use in the impromptu scene with Baldwin. As we have stated before, had anyone from Production called Hannah back into the church before the scene to consult with her, this tragedy would have been prevented.”
Hutchins’ widower, Matt Hutchins, similarly released a statement through his attorney Brian Panish saying, “We are pleased that the NM OSHA report has shed some light on the workplace safety issues that plagued Rust and led to the tragic and fatal events of Oct 21, 2021. Our own investigation has found overwhelming evidence of recklessness and negligence on the part of the Rust production team and others.”
According to the report, although Baldwin was the producer on Rust, he allegedly solely handled the creative aspects and had nothing to do with hiring or the film’s budget, which Rust Productions LLC managed.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the results of its criminal investigation regarding the incident.
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