SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (“Bureau”) has reached a settlement with Rust Movie Productions LLC (“RMP”) regarding two citations issued by the Bureau following the workplace fatality and injury that occurred on Oct. 21, 2021, on the set of the film “Rust.” By the terms of this settlement, RMP will withdraw its contest of the citations and agrees to pay $100,000, the largest OSHA penalty in the State of New Mexico since 2010. This settlement resolves OHSB’s investigation and citation related to this incident.
On Oct. 21, 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of Rust when a live round was discharged from a revolver used by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal. The Bureau found that RMP violated workplace safety laws by exposing employees to being struck by discharged rounds or projectiles when firearms were used on the set of the motion picture production. The Bureau issued the highest level of citations available under law and Rust contested the citations.
Under the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. The Bureau’s role is to ensure these conditions for New Mexico’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance.