Guidelines for Addressing

 

 

Best Management Practices

for

Performing Arts Centers/Theaters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Prepared By:

Florida Community Colleges Risk Management Consortium

February 2005


Table of Contents

 

Task Force Members.......................................................................... 3

Acknowledgements............................................................................ 3

Basic Stage Safety............................................................................. 4

Elevated Platforms and Workspaces...................................................... 4

Elevated Platforms and Workspaces (Continued).................................... 5

Ladders............................................................................................ 5

Ladders (Continued)........................................................................... 6

Rigging............................................................................................ 6

Rigging (Continued)........................................................................... 7

Fall Protection.................................................................................... 7

Fly Systems Loading and Unloading ..................................................... 8

Fly Systems Operation........................................................................ 8

Fly Systems Operation (Continued) ...................................................... 9

Electrical System................................................................................ 9

Electrical System (Continued).............................................................. 10

Lights............................................................................................... 10

Fire Safety........................................................................................ 11

Scene Shop – General Safety.............................................................. 11

Scene Shop – General Safety (Continued)............................................. 12

Clothing and Personal Protection.......................................................... 12

Directing Classes – General Safety........................................................ 13

Theatrical Health and Safety Self-Evaluation Checklist............................. 14

 

Appendix A:  Theater Safety Code Reference Sheet............................... 16

Appendix B:  OSHA Standards for Theater Safety................................... 17

 


Task Force Members

 

Claude Edwards, Fire Inspector

Palm Beach Community College

 

Jan-Hein Phelps, Technical Director

St. Johns River Community College

Robie Faucher, Audio Visual Technician

Lake City Community College

Liz Reynolds, Lighting Designer

Santa Fe Community College

 

Joan Fetchen, Director, Performing Arts Center

Lake City Community College

 

Owen Reynolds, Technical Director

Santa Fe Community College

 

Bill Gibson, Compliance Inspector

Valencia Community College

Thomas Reynolds, Facility/Conference Coordinator

St. Johns River Community College

 

Scott Green, Technical Director

Daytona Beach Community College

 

John Rickard, Assistant Director, Physical Plant

Okaloosa-Walton Community College

Charles Griggs, Coordinator of Safety & Risk Mgt.

Santa Fe Community College

George Scott, Director Of Facilities

Lake City Community College

 

Steven Harrington, Lighting Design/Master Electrician

Daytona Beach Community College

 

Steve Shields, Risk Manager

Hillsborough Community College

Bob Long, Coordinator Environmental Safety

Pensacola Junior College

Danny Taylor, Safety Specialist

Tallahassee Community College

 

Tom Lopez, Dir., Safety & Security/Risk Mgt.

Valencia Community College

 

Piper Walton, Loss Prevention Manager

Florida Community Colleges Risk Mgt. Consortium

George Markos, Safety/Risk Manager

Daytona Beach Community College

Chris Wilt, Light & Sound Technician

Pasco-Hernando Community College

 

Robert O’Leary, Technical Theater Instructor

St. Johns River Community College

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgments

 

We would like to thank all of the participating members for their hands-on knowledge of performing arts centers/theaters in creating this document for the colleges to adopt as part of their safety program.

 

This document is a basic guide and does not cover all situations encountered in Performing Arts Centers/Theaters.  It is a generic document and is intended for the use of each college to develop their own best management practices.

 

J. David Klaitz, Executive Director

Florida Community Colleges Risk Management Consortium

 


Basic Stage Safety

q       Conduct daily safety walk-through inspection.

q       Make sure that all props are safely secured.

q       All trap doors and pits must be adequately marked.

q       All rotating sections of the stage must be marked.

q       All grooves in the floor must be clearly marked.

q       All elevations should be clearly marked, made safe, and constructed by industry standards.

q       Stage floors should have adequate resiliency, kept dry, and cleared of slippery materials, and be free of splinters, nails, or worn-out floorboards.

q       Backstage stairs should be maintained in good condition, and the stairwells should be properly lit.

q       All alleyways should be clear of litter and obstacles.

q       The stairs leading up to any catwalk or elevation should have rails and be marked.

q       People should not be allowed to enter or exit sections of the stage that are moving or rotating unless absolutely necessary.

q       Documented training must be on file.

q       Participants with special health concerns should inform the event supervisor.


Elevated Platforms and Workspaces

q       Training on all equipment shall be conducted prior to use.

q       Standard railings should guard all areas elevated above 6 feet.

q       Standard railings consist of a top-rail, a mid-rail, toe board, and posts.

q       Standard railings must be able to withstand 200 pounds in any direction on the top rail.

q       Guardrails are needed for wall openings that are 30 inches from the ground.

q       All guardrails should be designed for live load of 20 pounds per foot.

q       A cover or guardrail on open sides must guard all floor openings. If there is only a cover, when uncovered, the opening must be attended to by a worker. Hinges, handles, and all other hardware must be flush with the floor.

q       If guardrails are impractical, there should be other mechanisms to prevent falling such as tape markings.

q       Walking on open beams or sliding down beams that are 15 feet or higher must be done only with safety harnesses.

q       People will not ride on lifting devices that are not meant to lift humans or on any other moving device unless allowed by the manufactures operating and safety instructions.

q       Platforms should be clear of all obstructions, kept free of oils, grease, water, or any slippery substance.


Elevated Platforms and Workspaces (Continued)

q       Metal pipe railings, top rails, and mid-rails should be 1 ½ inches in diameter.

q       If toe boards are required, they should not exceed 3 inches and bottom clearance should not exceed ¼ inch.

q       If work is done on thrust outs or other elevated surfaces of over 15 feet (e.g., trusses or beams) safety belts and lifelines are needed.

q       Participants with special health concerns should inform the event supervisor.

 

Ladders

q       Ladder safety training shall be conducted prior to use.

q       Ladders should always be inspected before use to make sure they are in safe condition. Any ladders with broken or missing rungs or other defects shall not be used.

q       Never substitute a chair, table, or box, etc. for a ladder. Never place a ladder on a table or box to increase the height.

q       Ladders will not be “spliced” together to create a longer one.

q       All personnel using a ladder should face the ladder while ascending and descending.

q       A stepladder should be used only in the completely open position, and only climbed on the side with the steps. A stepladder should not be used as a surface from which to work. Workers should not stand on the top step.

q       Use wooden ladders or fiberglass because of their increased stability and non-conducting properties. The ladders should not be painted.  This can hide splits and defects.

q       Ladders should be maintained in good condition.   The hardware, fittings, and joints should operate securely and smoothly. Rungs should be clean of oil, grease, water, or any slippery substance.

q       The ladder feet should be placed on a secure base, and the area underneath the ladder should be kept dry and clear of debris.

q       Non-skid safety feet should be installed on all straight ladders before use.

q       Manufactured portable wood ladders should have non-slip bases securely bolted or riveted by side rails.

q       Ladder side rails shall be at least 3 feet above the landing. If this is not possible, then grab rails should be installed.

q       Portable metal ladders should not be used for electrical work. Metal ladders must be marked: “CAUTION: Do Not Use Around Electrical Equipment.”

 


Ladders (Continued)

q       A straight ladder should be kept on a level surface and be placed about one quarter of the length of the ladder from the wall or surface upon which it leans.

q       Straight ladders should be blocked, tied off, or otherwise secured when in use; otherwise, an assistant wearing a hard hat should brace the ladder for the user. For large ladders, two assistants may be needed.

q       While using a ladder, tools and other objects should be secured against falling. Materials should never be left on the ladder, or dropped or pitched to another person.

q       Genies, or other hydraulic lift systems can only be operated if all outriggers are in place.

q       OSHA has specific regulations on tread width and rung distance for fixed ladders. (See Appendix B.)

q       Fixed ladders over 20 feet in height must be caged.

q       If there are ladder safety devices, then a landing platform is not required. Examples of ladder safety devices include a wire rope running along the middle of the ladder or a notched rail device used in conjunction with a friction operated safety harness.

q       Because fixed ladders rest on a wall, they can be installed at a steeper angle than portable ladders.

q       Participants with special health concerns should inform the event supervisor.

Rigging

q       Create a log for rig inspections.

q       Require continuous training.

q       Properly trained and qualified persons should do the operation, maintenance, and repair work on rigging equipment. They should be knowledgeable in operation and functioning of the equipment, safe use, routine maintenance, operation of safety devices, possible dangers during operation, and emergency procedures.

q       All rigging equipment shall be inspected before use, after alterations, and at regular intervals.

q       Counterweights should be enclosed with a guard. Passage must be blocked when loading.

q       Damaged or defective slings and ropes must be removed from service. Chains or ropes should not be shortened by knotting.

q       Be sure all loads do not exceed the safe capacity of the system.

q       Follow safe procedures when loading, unloading, or operating rigging systems. Unbalanced counterweight systems should be kept on the ground, for example while loading and unloading.


Rigging (Continued)

q       Maintain visual contact of a moving piece at all times.

q       Warn people on the stage and grid before moving any rigged scenery or other object.

q       Maintain control of moving pieces at all times.

q       Only assigned personnel shall have access to suspended work areas such as grids and catwalks.

q       All hoisting systems should be secured to prevent accidental or unauthorized use.

q       Recommend annual or more frequent certified inspections.

q       Participants with special health concerns should inform the event supervisor.

 

Fall Protection

 

q       Working on a ladder that raises you at least 6 feet from the floor requires the use of an approved fall protection system, i.e., a full body harness and appropriate lanyard connected to a cross-arm strap or other approved building structure.  See the theater director or his/her designee for harness certification and approval on connection points.

q       Keep the lanyard from getting caught by your feet or legs while climbing ladders and stairs.

q       When using fall protection anywhere in the theater, it is required that another person be in the theater to assist in case of an accident.

q       Remove any unnecessary items from pockets and items that could otherwise fall off before climbing up a ladder, working in the catwalks, or working near the edge of any abrupt change in flooring.

q       All platforms, stairs, and scenery should be properly secured, inspected, and approved for use by a knowledgeable authority (such as the technical director) before using them in any way.

q       People unfamiliar with the terrain should “walk the set” and/or be shown any hazards before trying to work, rehearse, or perform.

q       Make sure that adequate lighting is provided in all fall risk situations.

q       People using equipment that impedes their field of vision must have a spotter if they intend to move around while using that equipment. Spotters should monitor the stage position of themselves and the equipment operator and stop any filming or other relevant activity should a potential hazard arise.

q       Participants with special health concerns should inform the event supervisor.

 

 


Fly Systems Loading and Unloading

 

q       At least three trained, certified people are required: two on the loading gallery and one supervisor on the stage to test the