Theatre Safety, it’s not just for techies!

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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