MPowers
Well-Known Member
I can't say I've been in a situation where the line-sets being locked would be a problem, but I can foresee situations where if the person(s) with a key were not around, it could get dangerous. Especially in theatres with students who are often messing around with things they shouldn't. Is there an OSHA regulation on whether or not locking the rails is allowed?
It is highly unlikely that locked linesets could lead to a dangerous situation. A very inconvenient one due to poor planning, yes.
As for an OSHA (or any other regulating body) regulation, there is no section, code or regulation requiring or forbidding locking individual, groups or the entire locking rail. All the major manufacturers, Clancy, H&H, Tiffin, Thern et. al. offer versions of their rope lock that can be locked. There are versions that have the lock built in and linesets can be keyed in groups or individually keyed, mastered or combinations of the above. Everyone offers a version that will accept a padlock. The other alternative that is fairly common is a cage around the fly rail that can be locked preventing access by unauthorized personnel.
The scenario you outlined could only happen with poor planning or poor work practices coupled with poor decision making, or all of the above.
First. on a full crew call to load/unload battens, any/all locked linesets should be unlocked before beginning the call or the key should be in the possession of the crew member running the rail. Second, The standard rule for loading/unloading battens under any condition, crew staffing and available number of people working the call is: Load the batten first, unload it last. That way if you forget something, it is to take the instruments off and you find you can't fly the batten out as it is too heavy.
Your scenario also seems to indicate only a single person working on stage. Never work alone. A stage is potentially a VERY dangerous place. Working alone can result in a severe injury or fatality. If you must work solo, have an observer, a watcher, so IF something happens, help can be called for. Last year a Yale grad student was killed when she was working alone. The investigation indicated the incident would have been non fatal if a second person had been on site. Don't take chances. No show or project is worth it.