The producers for the Ryan Reynolds-fronted superhero movie have been punished with fine for failing to provide a safe workplace for the fallen stuntwoman.
- May 9, 2020
AceShowbiz - The production company behind "Deadpool 2" has been fined almost $300,000 for safety violations over the 2017 death of stuntwoman Joi Harris.
Harris, 32, was killed when she was thrown from the motorcycle she was riding through a plate-glass window while filming her first movie stunt, a stand-in scene for actress Zazie Beetz on location in Vancouver, Canada.
After assessing the situation, statutory agency WorkSafeBC has imposed the fine on TCF Vancouver Productions LTD for failing to provide a safe workplace for Harris, reported Deadline.
An investigation previously found that Harris's death was the result of a freak accident after the experienced motorcycle rider continued travelling beyond a planned stopping point on the set, striking a concrete curb and being thrown through the window of a building.
She had not been wearing a safety helmet, as Beetz's character Domino was not wearing one in the scene, and died on impact.
In their new investigation, WorkSafeBC ruled five violations of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation had been committed by the production company, including, "...failing to identify the hazards and assess and control the risks of the work activity and failing to provide adequate supervision... failing to provide adequate supervision with respect to this work activity and instructing the stunt performer not to wear safety headgear while operating the motorcycle."
A representative from the agency said, "The primary purpose of an administrative penalty is to motivate the employer receiving the penalty - and other employers - to comply with occupational health and safety requirements and to keep their workplaces safe."
Before joining the crew, 32-year-old Harris was the first African-American woman licensed to actively compete in American Motorcyclist Association races.
"Deadpool 2" starred Ryan Reynolds as the Marvel Comics character and was released in May 2018.
