Disney has been hit with a $36,000 fine by CAL/OSHA in connection with the death of Juan Carlos Osorio, a crew member who tragically died on the set of Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man in February.
Osorio, 41, was a rigger working at Radford Studios in Studio City. On February 6, while retrieving lighting cables from high up on Stage 3, he fell from a weakened section of the catwalk and died instantly. The CAL/OSHA report reveals that the floorboard Osorio was standing on gave way after its supporting ledger, which was improperly secured and deteriorated, collapsed. He fell 41 feet and struck the ground below.
The incident occurred when the series was not in production. Osorio was a member of IATSE Local 728, which issued a statement expressing appreciation for CAL/OSHA’s commitment to workplace safety. The union highlighted that while major studios have improved safety measures since the tragedy, many non-union facilities still lack adequate resources and oversight. They emphasized the need for a safe working environment for all members.
The CAL/OSHA report provides a detailed account of the incident, noting that the wooden catwalks, which had been in place for decades, were supported by weakened ledgers and inadequate structural reinforcements. The fall resulted in blunt force trauma to Osorio’s head, neck, and legs, leading to his immediate death.
IATSE Local 728 remains focused on advocating for safer working conditions across all production facilities to prevent such tragedies in the future.
