OSHA has fined The Walking Dead production company over the death of stuntman John Bernecker.
The production company behind The Walking Dead, Stalwart Films LLC, has been hit with the maximum fine from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the death of stuntman John Bernecker, which took place last year.
The OSHA issued a “serious citation” and proposed the maximum amount of penalties — $12,675 — “for the company’s failure to provide adequate protection from fall hazards.”
“This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for the entertainment industry,” OSHA Atlanta Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer said in a press release Friday. “The entire industry needs to commit to safety practices for actors and stunt people involved in this type of work.”
“This was a tragic and terrible accident,” Stalwart Films said in a statement to TheWrap on Friday. “We take the safety of our employees extremely seriously on all of our sets and comply with — and frequently exceed — industry safety standards. We disagree with the issuance of this citation and are considering our response.”
Last summer, Bernecker died on set of The Walking Dead following a blunt-force trauma injury that he sustained in a fall while filming. OSHA investigated the filming location in Senoia, Georgia and found that Bernecker fell more than 20 feet.
Stalwart has 15 days to comply or contest the findings with OSH, the press released said.
The Walking Dead returns to AMC in February.
Related:
- Report: ‘The Walking Dead’ Stunt Actor Dies After Horrific Accident on Georgia Set
- ‘The Walking Dead’ Cancels Panel to Attend Stuntman’s Funeral
- ‘The Walking Dead’ Pays Tribute to Georgia Stuntman Who Died Working on The Show
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