'Lone Ranger' producers fined

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer in The Lone Ranger. (Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer, Inc.)

Bosses behind Johnny Depp's new movie The Lone Ranger have been fined by California's health and safety watchdog over the death of a crew member on set last year.

Welder and water safety expert Mike Bridger died in September after reportedly suffering a heart attack while working inside a large liquid tank.

An investigation into the tragedy was launched by officials from the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and now the organisation has issued a number of fines to chiefs at Silver Bullet Productions.

The fines, amounting to $61,445, were handed out for a series of violations, including failure to obtain Bridger's medical records, not having a standby diver on hand when he was in the water, and allowing Bridger to dive without a tether, according to TMZ.com.

The movie, starring Depp and Armie Hammer, is due out later this year.