Hey everybody,
I just started a new position as lighting director for a rural Indiana theatre with a 53-year history. You might not be surprised to learn that the methods of rigging pipes on which to hang lighting are incredibly suspect. I'm seeing really frightening things such as unrated quick links, unrated twin loop chain, conduit used as pipe, chain hung from 2x4 between rafters, and many other concerns.
But I'm not here to rant about that or ask if it's unsafe. I know it's a complete disaster waiting to happen. I've expressed my concerns to the producer and board of directors via a long and detailed report with photographs, and they have agreed that the current rig is unsustainable and must come down. The problem is, they want me to hang something else to replace it. I have expressed that I am not qualified to do so but I'm worried that if I don't do something, or quit, then someone will get hurt.
The season begins in a few weeks. I have looked into all the supplies necessary to hang new pipes correctly, taking into account working load limits of chain, shackles, clamps, and so on, and safe rigging practices, but - and you may be seeing this coming - the more I look into it, the more I know I'm not qualified to handle this. And I want to be able to sleep at night, instead of worrying that my well-thought-out-but-ultimately-unprofessional rig will come crashing down.
What I need is a recommendation for a firm or individual in the southern Indiana area (Bloomfield) that would be qualified to come down and speak with me - on short notice - about a cost-effective and safe solution so the season can continue. Know anyone?
I just started a new position as lighting director for a rural Indiana theatre with a 53-year history. You might not be surprised to learn that the methods of rigging pipes on which to hang lighting are incredibly suspect. I'm seeing really frightening things such as unrated quick links, unrated twin loop chain, conduit used as pipe, chain hung from 2x4 between rafters, and many other concerns.
But I'm not here to rant about that or ask if it's unsafe. I know it's a complete disaster waiting to happen. I've expressed my concerns to the producer and board of directors via a long and detailed report with photographs, and they have agreed that the current rig is unsustainable and must come down. The problem is, they want me to hang something else to replace it. I have expressed that I am not qualified to do so but I'm worried that if I don't do something, or quit, then someone will get hurt.
The season begins in a few weeks. I have looked into all the supplies necessary to hang new pipes correctly, taking into account working load limits of chain, shackles, clamps, and so on, and safe rigging practices, but - and you may be seeing this coming - the more I look into it, the more I know I'm not qualified to handle this. And I want to be able to sleep at night, instead of worrying that my well-thought-out-but-ultimately-unprofessional rig will come crashing down.
What I need is a recommendation for a firm or individual in the southern Indiana area (Bloomfield) that would be qualified to come down and speak with me - on short notice - about a cost-effective and safe solution so the season can continue. Know anyone?