At the Gatlinburg Convention Center, Tennessee, a 66-year-old member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union (IATSE), Jeffrey Coker, fell 32 feet to his death while installing lights on the ceiling.
The incident occurred at around 11:30 am on Tuesday, December 26 with emergency personnel responding to the scene in the Great Hall area.
The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) has launched an investigation into the fatality. TOSHA’s policy is to maintain confidentiality during the investigation, releasing the report for public review only upon completion. Investigations typically take between eight to ten weeks.
Coker’s contributions were part of preparations for the Xtreme Winter 2023 event, featuring Christian music artist Colton Dixon. Despite the accident, the event, scheduled from December 27 through December 29, proceeded as planned.
The Gatlinburg Police Department, alongside TOSHA, is looking into the incident. However, both the police department and IATSE have not issued immediate comments on the matter. This lack of response is standard in ongoing investigations to preserve the integrity of the inquiry.
Workplace safety, particularly in environments like convention centers involving high-risk activities such as light installation, is a crucial concern. TOSHA’s involvement underlines the importance of adherence to safety protocols and regulations to prevent such occurrences. The outcome of this investigation will potentially highlight areas for improvement in workplace safety practices, not only for the Gatlinburg Convention Center but also for similar venues and operations.
