1. Theatre Safety, it’s not just for techies!

2. “Devise the fittest time and the safest way” Celia, AS YOU LIKE IT

3. Objective
The learner will identify general rules of safely working in any stage area

4. The main causes of accidents
Insufficient knowledge
Improper use of tools and facilities
Failure to safeguard hazardous equipment (use protective guards)
Failure to remove faulty equipment
Carelessness
Taking unnecessary risks
Being in too big of a hurry

5. OSHA OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Under OSHA guidelines employers must
Have written health and safety guidelines
Inventory all chemicals on the worksite and obtain MSDS’s (Material Safety Data Sheets)
Have a formal training program for all employees (or in our case students)

6. All Employers (and theatres)
Must:
Follow OSHA guidelines
Provide a clean and safe environment
Teach and enforce safe work practices
Train all workers properly

7. What to do in case of emergency
Inform the instructor immediately and evacuate the building closing doors behind you as you leave
When during school hours, exit the theatre out the lobby doors and go into the front parking lot.
Meet the instructor to the left of the main driveway under the palm trees in order for roll to be taken

8. Safety Precautions
Most theatres have a fire curtain to close off the performing area from the auditorium at the proscenium line
The fire curtain is used to protect the audience from three hazards: fire, gasses and smoke.
The fire curtain will not protect against toxic chemicals
There are smoke doors above the stage to expel gas and smoke that rise to the top of the stage house during a fire
Flammables such as oil based paint, thinner and spray paint must be kept in the yellow flammable cabinet in the shop

9. Every theatre should be equipped with well maintained ABC rated fire extinguishers in key areas.
Theatrical fires are divided into three categories:
“A” type fires which burn to ash from paper, wood or organic materials (combustibles)
“B” type fires which are caused by flammable liquids and other petroleum based products such as oil based paint, grease and fuel
“C” type fires which are current related or electrical fires

10. Fire Exits Should never be blocked
Can not be used to store props, furniture or any other items
Aisles must never be used to seat audience members to ensure that they can get to fire exits quickly

11. Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment
Never wear loose fitting clothing, scarves, long jewelry or sandals
Always wear closed toed shoes, NO FLIP FLOPS
Tie long hair up or back
Wear work gloves during a load in, when moving scenery, when taking out trash and when working a fly system
Do not wear gloves when working with power tools and saws

12. Personal Protective Equipment Continued
Always wear goggles, face shield or safety glasses while using power tools and equipment
Wash hands in soap and water during breaks, before eating and after work
Never wear or listen to personal stereos, iPods or mp3 players while working on stage

13. Rigging safety regulations
Stage rigging operators must be trained in
Loading and unloading of counterweights
The use of spreader plates on the counterweight arbor
The locking mechanism adjustments
The proper installation and use of spike marks on the purchase line
No one is allowed to use the rigging system unless they have been properly trained
Never work alone

14. Rigging safety regulations continued
Pockets should be emptied when going on to the grid
Do not leave tools or hardware loose in the grid
Before loading or unloading an arbor call, “Clear the rail”
There should be an acknowledgement from the stage “Rail is clear”
When the stage is clear the rail operator should call, “1st Electric coming in” or call whatever line is moving in or out
When loading and unloading is complete the operator should call, “Rail is safe” and there should be an acknowledgement from the stage
Always use the locking rings when not operating a batten

15. Make-up safety
Bacterial infections of the skin can be caused by sharing make-up
Applicators (cotton balls, lining brushes, sponges etc.) should be used when applying make-up instead of using fingers and hands
All blood and bodily fluids must be considered infections
For the clean up of human blood, OSHA stipulates the use of gloves and a solution of one part bleach and ten parts water or another EPA approved material
Replace old make-up regularly
Clean up after yourself (including cleaning brushes) and put make-up away properly

16. General safety
Use the proper method of bending the knees, keeping the body erect and pushing upward with the legs when lifting objects
Get help when lifting and moving heavy objects
Keep the stage, shop and all work/storage areas clean and swept
Put away all tools after use
Unplug all tools when finished using
Report ALL accidents immediately to the instructor

17. More on general safety Never work alone in the theatre
When using a ladder, only one person at a time may be on the ladder, unless the ladder is designed as a 2-person ladder
Never stand above the safe level on a ladder
Never leave tools or equipment on top of a ladder
Running and horsing around are never permitted in the theatre
ALWAYS ASK IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION. Do not assume that you can “figure it out”. If you don’t know how to use a piece of equipment or you don’t understand a regulation: ASK

18. Chemical Hazards and Personal Protection Equipment
The most neglected type of protection for theatre workers is protective guards on power tools (USE THEM)
Three most common ways that toxic chemicals enter the body are:
Skin contact
Breathing
Ingestion
Avoid breathing vapors from spray paints and other chemicals
Avoid skin contact with pigments, paints or solvents

19. Protection continued
Dust masks prevent the inhalation of dust only! A dust mask will not prevent the inhalation of gasses, smoke or toxic chemicals
Use a cartridge respirator when working with gasses, smoke or toxic chemicals
An excellent way to test for proper ventilation is to blow soap bubbles in the air. The bubbles should travel up and away if there is proper ventilation
Dry ice and stage fog are safe for humans when they are not constantly inhaled

20. Costume shop and lighting safety
Use wood or fiberglass ladders when working on electrics
Tungsten halogen lamps must not be touched with fingers. Use a soft, clean cloth when changing lamps in lighting instruments
The safety cable is the first thing to be put on and the last to be removed when hanging lighting equipment
Three simple ways to prevent burns when using a hot glue gun are:
Tape the hot glue stand to the work table surface
Secure the electrical cord to the table leg
Bring the power cable from overhead

21. Scene shop and prop shop safety
When in doubt about how to use a tool ASK
Hearing loss caused by loud noise in the theatre is completely preventable by using earmuffs or expandable foam ear plugs
The type of noise most damaging to the ear is high frequency noise of long duration
The two most hazardous problems that occur during welding are: ultraviolet radiation and fire caused by hot material and sparks
All saws must have a specific dust collection system or shop vac to clean saw dust

22. Scene and prop safety continued
Report any defective or questionable equipment to the instructor immediately
Make sure saw blades, drill bits, etc. are sharp, clean and regularly maintained
Recess the saw blade in a saw when not in use
Tape (using carpet and tape) all electrical cords running along the stage floor
Use clamps to hold work in place

23. Scene and prop safety continued
Make sure a switch is turned “off” before plugging a cord in
Never carry a power tool with your finger on the switch
Make sure all power tools are “grounded” with a three-prong plug
Do not over reach. Maintain proper footing, balance and a secure grip on the tool you are using
Never adjust or change bits or blades when a tool is plugged in
Never surprise, touch or talk to someone operating a power tool

24. Follow all posted and spoken safety guidelines
There are guidelines posted around the scene shop. Read them, AND follow them!

25. “Provide for thine own future safety” Wolsey, KING HENRY THE EIGHTH