safety

Hi,On a recent trip to see my uncle who works at the Opera Philidelphia, I was at the Wilma as they unloaded "10 days in a madhouse." It was the first time I had seen a loadout of a professional show. I also happened to notice that when they were lowering the lights above the house, they...

Oh LORD what have I gotten myself into... HELP! I've was a scene designer and PAC manager for various theaters for around a decade or so, but for the past couple of years I've been more or less "retired."My sister asked if I could help build a few "props" for my nieces HS marching band...

Hi Control Booth community. This is my first post so bear with me here, as I went to school for Music Technology and I am fairly new to theatre.I was hired recently as the TD for a theater built in 1928, and last night one of the snakes of cable on one of my electrics battens had fallen to the...

I am just trying to find out an answer to how close I can or should have 1k Altmans on a pipe in proximity to legs down on stage. Considering that we know they are flame-retardant and not fireproof. What is the generally agreed-upon distance?

Hey, if anyone has a contact with the aerialist riggers at EDC Las Vegas this year, could you DM me? Trying to help a friend with an aerialist rigging issue.

Before life shut down- I was working for a small opera company (as much as opera is ever small). Like a lot of people, we're talking about what things need to look like when we are finally allowed to move forward.Today's question- the orchestra pit. How am I going to put 10 people into an...

Hi folks,I am a High School technical Director. My High school is on a Distance Learning Program through June. This presents as lemons for my Hands-on, Project Based Learning model. It's time to make lemonade.The areas that I wish I covered better over the whole program is general theater...

Hello everyone,First, I hope that my presence here isn't too out of line as I work in a museum and not a theater. Much of my work overlaps the theater knowledge set and I have worked in theaters before. I am in charge of all fabrication at my museum and I'm looking to hear some ideas and...

What are the considerations (specifically life safety codes) regarding the light level in the house during a theatrical performance? (under normal power circumstances. Not when power fails and emergency batteries or generators kick in)Why I'm asking: I've been operating lights for a church and...

So, For anyone who doesn’t know, I hold a Master’s degree in Occupational Safety Management; which goes well with my Bachelors in Technical Theater and 20 years working in the industry.One of my professors from the safety program reached out to me this morning, after attending Trans Siberian...

Has anyone done a live hanging with an actor? We have a rig for the actor, but I'm concerned about the rope around the neck. I need something that will release if the rig fails, we've talked about velcro or a magnet.

See story below. No 'Inside' information and I still have no idea if it's anyone I know. Apparently two Arborists were ascending in a boom then climbing further up trees to release shade awnings during the out. Apparently the boom was on an incline, sideways. They were clipped to the basket...

Moving Lights are heavy. What is the best way to add/remove a light from a road case without muscle strain/getting injured? Is there any hope for short people?Some cases require a lift which is definitely outside your ideal lifting range and there isn't enough room for more than 2 people to...

I was recently working with someone who got chewed out for having a tie-line safety on his wrench. Someone with more seniority at the venue thought it was unsafe.While I agree that we can do better, I've seen plenty of homemade lanyards on wrenches, but have never seen a lanyard of any sort...

My theater has both an upper and lower loading gallery. On install, the JR Clancy rep told us to distribute 2/3 of the weights on the upper loading gallery and 1/3 on the lower. From a physics perspective, does this weight distribution actually effect whether the system is "in weight"?This...

Greetings,I recently took control of a theater that is in need of some updates. One thing that stands out to me is the original fire curtain that has likely never been tested and needs to be reworked.The facility was built in 1976. Proscenium opening is about 32'W x 16'H.There is a...

I'm going to get blasted for this, I just know it...Anonymous hands-up of how many of you are using harnesses in your genie or vertical 'stick' lift? Not talking boom or scissor lift. Within the 20-25 foot range.What ARE the actual regulations on that with OSHA or ANSI? (I haven't had...

Hey guys,So I have been advised by a professor of mine that if I find myself working over head in any union venue I will need to have a lanyard attached to all of my hand tools. I was wondering if this is a real rule that any of you have encountered, and if so how do you get around it?Do I...

Hello All, I should have thought to put this up sooner! Register quick! Or send to someone you know!ISD 728 Elk River MN is offering a unique opportunity to help you and your staff create safe environments in your performing spaces! Join ISD 728 Community Education and Josh Peklo, Guthrie...

Hey guys, came across this site. Hi! Artistic Director here, wondering what type of spark effects are safe to use inside and if anyone has had experience with some of these new units called cold spark machines? Found these online from CryoFX but they dont say anything about permits. Other brands...