State Cites KABC in Accident That Injured Reporter

State officials cited KABC-TV Friday for safety violations that could cost the station close to $30,000 in fines for the accident that critically injured reporter Adrienne Alpert.

Of the three citations issued by Cal/OSHA, the one carrying the largest penalty, $25,000, cited KABC-TV for failing to maintain proper clearance when erecting the van’s 42-foot microwave mast.

On May 22, a station photographer accidentally raised the antenna into a 19,900-volt line in Hollywood, burning Alpert, who was inside the vehicle.

The photographer and a Los Angeles police officer suffered minor injuries.

Alpert spent more than two months in the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital recovering from burns that cost her part of her left arm and right leg. A station official said she is continuing intensive physical therapy at a Northridge rehabilitation center.

Cal/OSHA also cited the station for failing to train its crews properly in safety practices and first aid and for failing to include a warning sign about the electrical hazards on the 1993 Ford Econoline that was involved in the incident. The latter violations must be abated by Nov. 13 and Dec. 15, respectively, according to the citations.

KABC-TV President and General Manager Arnold J. Kleiner, in a written statement, acknowledged having received the Cal/OSHA notices.

“We deeply regret the injuries sustained by our colleague Adrienne Alpert, and we remain, as always, totally committed to ensuring the safety of all our staff. In that spirit, we have cooperated fully with the investigation and will be reviewing the citations.”