The tragic death of Juan Carlos Osorio on the set of Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man in February led to a CAL/OSHA ruling that imposed a fine of $36,000 on Disney. Osorio, a 41-year-old rigger, was working at Radford Studios in Studio City when the accident occurred. He was collecting and removing lighting cable equipment high up on Stage 3 when the fatal incident took place. According to the CAL/OSHA report, the employee fell 41 feet and suffered blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and legs, ultimately succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
As a member of IATSE Local 728, Osorio’s death sparked a response from the union. They expressed gratitude towards CAL/OSHA for their commitment to ensuring safer workplaces. The union highlighted the unnecessary loss of life and emphasized the importance of everyone returning home safely after a day’s work. Additionally, they called for greater oversight and resources to be allocated towards improving safety measures in non-Union facilities to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The tragic incident on February 6, 2024, involved Osorio working as an engineering technician for a television and film production company. Accompanied by two other crew members, they were collecting and removing lighting cable equipment on wooden catwalks in Stage 3. The catwalks were supported by various-sized floorboards connected by wooden supports called “ledgers.” Unfortunately, a deteriorated ledger gave way under Osorio’s weight, causing him to fall to the ground below. The immediate cause of death was deemed to be the impact from the fall.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the need for stringent oversight in hazardous working environments. While major studios have taken steps to retrofit their soundstages to improve safety, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that all workplaces, including non-Union facilities, are equipped with the necessary resources and protocols to prevent such tragedies. The duty of employers to provide a safe working environment for their employees cannot be understated, and incidents like the one that led to Osorio’s death should serve as a wake-up call for greater diligence in enforcing safety standards.
The $36,000 fine imposed on Disney following the CAL/OSHA ruling is a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise from workplace negligence. The loss of Juan Carlos Osorio was a tragedy that could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place. It is crucial for all employers to prioritize the well-being of their employees and to invest in comprehensive safety protocols to prevent future incidents. The legacy of Osorio should spur a collective effort towards creating safer work environments for everyone in the industry.