The death of a sound technician who was shot while working on the television show “COPS” has led to OSHA issuing a hazard alert letter for reality show producers.
The incident occurred in August of 2014, after the man was struck and killed by a stray bullet while producers filmed an attempted armed robbery at a fast food restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska.
The OSHA hazard alert letter to the victim’s employer, Langley Productions included several recommendations to the company on how to prevent fatalities and injuries.
- Instruct and train employees on how to film and record from a distance in situations where gunfire is occurring or can be reasonably anticipated to occur.
- Remove bonus incentives that may encourage employees to take risks to obtain attention-grabbing or action-packed stories.
- Instruct and train employees on how to orient their bodies so their ballistic vests provide maximum protection when shots are fired.
- Instruct and train employees on the proper use, fit, storage, care and maintenance of the ballistic vests they are provided.
- Instruct and train employees how to take cover in situations where gunfire is occurring or can be reasonably anticipated to occur.
- Conduct a job hazard analysis to determine under what circumstances and how employees are to accompany law enforcement into crime scenes where it is reasonable to expect that gunfire is likely to occur, including scenes of armed robbery and scenes where suspects are brandishing or are reported to be brandishing weapons.
Langley Productions, Inc. is a television production company that produces shows such as "COPS" and "JAIL" which air in the United States and internationally. The company employs approximately 50 individuals, with 28 working in the field throughout the United States.
View hazard alert letter at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Langley_Productions_992449_0213_15.pdf
