Posted on 08/21/2003 12:00:42 PM PDT by bedolido
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- Six months after a nightclub fire that killed 100 people, the U.S. federal agency that regulates workplace safety has fined the club's owners and the band Great White more than $90,000 US.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Derco LLC, which operated The Station club, $85,200 for one "wilful" violation and six serious ones.
OSHA said the wilful violation was the installation of an exit door that swung the wrong way. The others involved the use of highly flammable foam in the club, inadequate safety planning and an exit door that was concealed by foam, the agency said.
Jack Russell Touring Inc., the corporate entity representing Great White, faces a $7,000 fine for failing to protect employees from fire hazards, OSHA said.
Great White was playing at The Station on Feb. 20 when its pyrotechnic display started a blaze that killed 100 people and injured nearly 200 others. The club and band have 15 days to appeal the proposed penalties.
The fire they started killed their lead guitarist. Hard to gainsay the justice of their fine, which might have been even higher, but I'm not sure OSHA ought to be handing down administrative fines this large -- they ought to be in court instead. These are questions both of equity and of justice and ought to be decided in a court of law.
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