OSHA Investigator: ‘Rust’ Armorer Wasn’t Given Enough Time to Check Rounds
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media Writer An OSHA investigator testified on Tuesday that “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was not given enough time to make sure that there were no live rounds on set.
Lorenzo Montoya was the first witness called by the defense in the involuntary manslaughter trial underway in Santa Fe, N.M.
Gutierrez Reed is accused of causing the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by loading a live round into Alec Baldwin‘s gun.
On the stand, Montoya faulted the Rust management team for safety lapses that led to the accidental shooting. Those included directing Gutierrez Reed to focus on other tasks, taking her away from her responsibilities as the film’s armorer, he said. “We came to the conclusion that she was not afforded time to conduct her duties to the best of her diligence,” Montoya said. “The employer is asking an individual to perform multiple safety-related functions for them, while also telling them that they’re spending too much time engaging in those safety-related functions.” Montoya also said that Gutierrez Reed “effectively had no authority” to make decisions about gun safety training on set, a violation of industry safety rules.
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