From Deseret News archives:
Hale Centre Theatre cited
It didn't report injury to stagehand's ear within required time
The Feb. 21 accident left 32-year-old Will Phillips with a severely lacerated ear. Phillips accidently moved his head in the way of the theater's massive revolving stage which is lowered and raised at several points during the show.
Under state law, companies are required to report work place injuries to UOSH within eight hours of them. UOSH didn't find out about it, however, until the next morning from listening to news reports.
After inspecting the accident scene, and even watching a performance of "Aida," UOSH inspectors determined that not reporting the accident in a timely manner was the only violation, UOSH administrator Larry Patrick said.
"We left there comfortable this was a random occurrence. (The theater) followed every proper procedure," he said. "We don't know why at the last moment that employee moved to put himself at risk. We think (Hale's) procedures are well-written and practiced."
Such a violation falls under the classification of "less than serious," he said. It is the lowest type of violation and carries a fine of up to $500.
But because UOSH has never really given the entire theater a through inspection, they will conduct a second inspection.
"We will look at the whole operation," Patrick said.
The second inspection is something UOSH does routinely and is not an indication of a possible violation, he said.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com
