Rust Movie Productions Fined $136 Million For 'Willful' Safety Failure That Caused Halyna Hutchins' Death

Alec Baldwin, along with his fellow executive producers of the ill-fated “Rust” movie has been slapped with a $136 million fine by the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB). The fine is the maximum allowable amount in the state of New Mexico, that answers to the film production company’s “willful and serious” violation of workplace safety procedures.

According to ABC News, the New Mexico Environment Department’s OHSB cited plain indifference to the film set’s recognized hazards related to the use of firearms on the set. Rust Movie Productions, LLC received the citation as a result of the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as well as causing severe injury to other people on the set, and allowing the production cast and crew to work in unsafe conditions.

The OHSB stated how the production crew failed to comply with industry safety guidelines where live ammunition is not allowed in any part of the studio set. They also failed to adhere to the requirement of holding daily safety meetings related to custodial guidelines of prop firearms that are being handled by both crew and actors. Lastly, they also ignored the safety measure in handling firearms which should never be pointed at anyone except after proper consultation with the prop master, the armorer, or a safety representative.

Rust executive producers have 15 days to comply and pay the penalty as well as provide the OHSB with a certification of corrective action. Baldwin and his co-producers plan to contest the citation with the Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission. Stefan Friedman, a representative for Rust Movie Productions said in a statement.

“While we appreciate OSHA’s time and effort in its investigation, we disagree with its findings and plan to appeal. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Halyna’s family.”

Meanwhile, actor Alec Baldwin claims he’s been cleared of all responsibility in the death of Hutchins. He recently issued a statement where his legal representative said, “We appreciate that the report exonerates Mr. Baldwin by making clear that he believed the gun held only dummy rounds."

“Additionally, the report recognizes that Mr. Baldwin's authority on the production was limited to approving script changes and creative casting. Mr. Baldwin had no authority over the matters that were the subject of the Bureau's findings of violations, and we are pleased that the New Mexico officials have clarified these critical issues.”

The penalty comes after an arduous six-month investigation into the circumstances that led up to the fatal accident. Although the actor has been firm on his stand of not having pulled the trigger on the prop gun, Baldwin is still dumbfounded on how a live bullet made it into the barrel of the prop firearm.