News Summary
James Thomas Productions has been fined nearly $20,000 following workplace safety violations after a stagehand’s tragic death during the Electric Daisy Carnival setup. The U.S. Department of Labor launched an OSHA investigation after the incident. Both James Thomas Productions and an additional company involved, Stage FX, face scrutiny for insufficient training and ensuring structural stability. The situation highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in event production to prevent future tragedies.
Orlando, Florida – James Thomas Productions, the company that employed a stagehand who tragically died during the setup of the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) at Camping World Stadium, has agreed to a penalty of nearly $20,000 to resolve allegations of workplace safety violations. This decision follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated after the incident that occurred in October 2024.
The stagehand, identified online as Misael Aguirre from Texas, died on October 30, 2024, just days before EDC was set to begin. While the Orlando Police Department was alerted to the incident, specific information regarding the circumstances of Aguirre’s death remains undisclosed.
In addition to James Thomas Productions, Stage FX, another company involved in the event, is also under scrutiny and has contested a citation from OSHA. Allegations against both firms state they failed to ensure structural stability during the erection of stages and did not provide adequate training regarding related hazards to their employees.
Since accepting a plea to pay a reduced fine, James Thomas Productions has a documented history of safety violations, making them a repeat offender in the eyes of OSHA. The initial citation against the company amounted to $33,100 but was negotiated down as part of the settlement process.
OSHA Penalties and Worker Safety
The penalties imposed by OSHA can be severe, with fines for serious violations reaching up to $16,550. However, the average penalty received by violators in 2024 was considerably lower at approximately $4,083. Last year, the median penalty for a workplace fatality was noted to be around $16,131. The alarming statistics from the Florida AFL-CIO indicate that workplace hazards contribute to about 140,000 worker deaths annually in the United States, primarily due to occupational diseases. In addition, transportation accidents lead all workers’ fatalities in Florida, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Upcoming Electric Daisy Carnival
The Electric Daisy Carnival, a major electronic music festival, is expected to return to Tinker Field at Camping World Stadium in November 2025. The event draws large crowds and relies heavily on the safe and effective setup of its staging and other structural components.
Background on Workplace Safety
Workplace safety remains a critical issue across all industries, not just in entertainment. Despite enforcement measures by organizations like OSHA, many companies continue to grapple with compliance. The case involving James Thomas Productions serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training and adherence to safety protocols, which are vital to preventing further tragedies in similar settings.
This case highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and improvement in workplace safety standards, particularly in high-risk environments like event production, where the safety of workers is paramount to ensuring successful operations. Companies must prioritize health and safety practices to protect their employees and reduce the risk of harm during high-profile events like the Electric Daisy Carnival.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Weekly: EDC Event Producers Cited
- Wikipedia: Workplace Safety
- EDMTunes: Death at EDC Orlando
- Google Search: Electric Daisy Carnival
- EDM Identity: Stagehand Dies at EDC Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Orlando Weekly: Explosion Fire Incident
- Google News: Workplace Safety Florida
