Region 8 News Release: 10-1711-DEN
Dec. 15, 2010
Contact: Rich Kulczewski
Phone: 303-844-1302
E-mail: kulczewski.richard@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Lucas Oil Production Studios
following cameraman's death at Lakewood, Colo., race course

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Lucas Oil Production Studios of Corona, Calif., following the death of a cameraman at the Thunder Valley Motocross race course outside of Lakewood, Colo., on June 25.

OSHA's investigation found that the cameraman fell from an elevated all-terrain scissor lift from which guardrails had been removed. The company also exposed other cameramen and technicians to fall hazards by removing guardrails from several other scissor lifts.

"Lucas Oil Production Studios failed to provide its employees with a safe and healthful workplace," said Greg Baxter, OSHA's regional administrator in Denver, Colo. "The company demonstrated indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which resulted in fatal injuries to its employee."

OSHA has proposed $91,000 in fines against the company for one alleged willful, two alleged serious and one other-than-serious violation. The willful citation addressed the deliberate removal of the guardrails from the scissor lifts exposing employees to fall hazards up to 27 feet. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

The serious citations addressed the employer's failure to provide any training to employees on the proper operating procedures of all-terrain scissor lifts, and exposing employees to crushing and amputation hazards by not having established a lockout program for performing modifications on the lifts. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

An other-than-serious citation was issued alleging the company failed to report the incident. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of all OSHA citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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