Quote:
Originally Posted by Dally
...So I guess my question is....do you have any suggestions for what I could say or do to get administration to both a.) get the wiring fixed, and b.) work on these safety issues.
|
Sorry in advance to be blunt, but you asked for suggestions, so here are some suggestions.
#1. Stop referring to your local Fire Marshal as "stupid". He should be your best friend, as the two of you have a common goal: that of keeping the occupants of your building safe from fire. You've never met the person, so I don't think you have any right to judge his intellect or demean his character.
#2. A Fire Marshal is not, necessarily, a Safety Officer, and has little, if any, jurisdiction over fall-protection. You might want to check with your local
OSHA office on safe working conditions, however...
#3. It should not take any outside party for an employee to convince administration ("bean-counters") to take precautionary measures to ensure a safe working environment. You were, in theory, hired for your position because of your knowledge and experience. You should be able to draft a written report detailing the problems you see, or foresee, and offer realistic and budget-conscious solutions. Again, citing OSHA regulations or other "industry-standard" practices may be used to help make your case.
#4. Find out who the insurance carrier is for both worker's compensation and general liability. Often the bean counters will listen to an insurance inspector over all others if he threatens to not issue a policy until unsafe wiring is brought up to code, fall-protection procedures are established,
etc.
#5. Know the code(s) applicable to your situation.
NFPA Article 70 (
NEC) Section 520, most likely applies, as does
NFPA 70E.
#6. Join, and participate in,
USITT and
ESTA, as they develop the standards with which we all must comply. Safety is as much your responsibility as the AHJs.
#7.
Never work in a
theatre alone, with or without a cellphone. How long to you want to be on the floor, writhing in pain, unable to reach your cellphone, until someone wanders by?