Commission won't fight Fair safety fine

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indiana State Fair Commission announced Thursday it paid a $6,300 fine and will not contest the Indiana Occupational Health Administration’s findings following a stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair.

“Yesterday we received the IOSHA investigation of worker safety standards for the Aug. 13 accident," said commission chairman Andre Lacy, “We have paid that fine.”

The fine, handed down by IOSHA Wednesday, was issued for the failure to conduct a life safety evaluation.

Additionally, Lacy told the commission the Fair has requested an informal conference with IOSHA “to ensure we fully understand the abatements it has requested the commission to implement and learn.”

"We really care very sincerely and genuinely to learn and profit and be better, taking the great Indiana State Fair and everything that goes on on this campus to the level that we want it to be and we know the citizens of Indiana want it to be," he said.

Lacy also addressed changes the fair has already made, including the creation of a new emergency management officer position and the completion of emergency evacuation training for all employees.

After Lacy's opening statement, the commission meeting moved on as usual, discussing normal Indiana State Fair business.

At one point in the meeting when a commission member mentioned working to improve and become more efficient, Lacy chimed in “and safer.”