February 8, 2012
The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) has released the report on the cause of the Indiana Fairgrounds stage collapse that injured and killed concertgoers last year. According to reports from FOX 59 News, three organizations–the Indiana State Fair Commission, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 30, and Mid-America Sound Corporation–have been issued citations by the Department of Labor in response to the report.
The Indiana State Fair Commission was fined $6,300 after the report found they created an unsafe environment for workers and those attending the concert after failing to conduct an “adequate life safety evaluation and plan.”
IATSE Local 30, a stagehand’s union, was given fines of $11,500 because they did not take safety precautions with employees by ensuring the stage’s roof was secure.
Mid-America Sound Corporation took the brunt of the blame after they were issued $63,000 in fines for showing “indifference” in properly setting up the stage, as well as it’s lighting and rigging.
Under Indiana state law, the organizations have up to 15 days to pay the fines or contest them in an Indiana Board of Safety review.
The Indiana premise liability lawyers with Stewart and Stewart Injury Lawyers know that these promoters had a responsibility to provide concertgoers and staff with a safe environment. The firm contends that these companies’ failure to do so could allow them to be held responsible for compensating those who were injured during the incident.