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Carole Mikita ReportingThe state Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation into Tuesday night's serious injury accident at Hale Center Theatre. Although state inspectors are not finished with the investigation, theatre managers could face a citation.
If cited, Hale Centre Theatre will probably face a fine up to $5,000, and perhaps a requirement for specific training of its technical employees.
The first problem, an administrator told us today, is that no one at the theatre called OSHA about the accident. Every employer in Utah must contact the agency within eight hours of a serious injury accident. The second problem, they cleaned up the accident scene.
Larry Patrick, Utah Labor Commission, OSHA: "Utah law requires that when an accident occurs, they're supposed to maintain the scene. That's difficult in a production operation like this, so they've altered the scene. So, it's difficult for us to go in and look at something that's already been altered."
OSHA inspectors have not yet interviewed Will Phillips, who was undergoing surgery yesterday for crushing injuries to his chest and stomach. He also suffered face, ear and jaw injuries during the theatre's production of "Aida". He was beneath the stage helping to operate an elevator-like apparatus when he got stuck.
Hale Centre Theatre managers say will comply with whatever they need to.
These stage lifts are not inspected at any theatre in our state by any state agencies.
KSL spoke with Shelley Phillips, Will Phillip's wife this afternoon. She says he is on his way home from the hospital and doing very well, sitting up, eating and talking. It's good news for him, his family and friends at the theatre.
