WA Guidelines on the Application of the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992

The Environmental Health Directorate has produced a pdf document that covers the REGULATIONS covering theatre in Western Australia. This document is applicable to every public building in WA so it covers you! Do you meet the requirements ? The document can be purchased from the State law Publishers or downloaded for free from here http://www.population.health.wa.gov.au/environmental/resources/Public%20Buildings%20Guidelines%20Final.pdf If you are looking to have the capacity of your venue increased or want to know the requirements for house lights, work lights, exit lights, safety chains etc it is in this document. Enjoy Don

Well done Don, this should put the Cats amongst the galahs! I doubt if any Pro or Ameatres here in this State, being a WA legislated Act, would actualy comply. Especialy concerning the application of 'Fire retardants on sets, drapes or fabrics. Also I think to having 'safety chains' or a [PAT]Test Log Book in play, would be next to non existant! Which would have to be a worry with Insurance Claims? As Insurance Companies are in the bussiness of hiring out umbrellas, but having the habit of wanting them back again, in case it starts to rain! Being a qualified ('A' Class) Electrical Fitter & Installer [mechanic], I think at one stage I was one of less than a hand full of Licenced Electrical Workers in the theatre/entertainment Industry in the whole State! If we use the average charge of about $20+/unit tested on an Industrial site, it could be a costly half yearly excercise for Proeatre at least, not counting Ameatres. Unless of course they have an friendly or employed in house competant/qualified techie/sparky.[Tagging requires the provision of a Licence Number to validate it]. Which would be few & far between?

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds. 

I don't know what goes on in WA, but that certainly doesn't happen in Vic. Yes, there are the few small venues that are old and out-of-date, but I'd have to say that 99% would comply with having test and tagging done once a year, as well as safety chains and fire retardant materials. Considering most, if not all venues are used during festival time, the festivals would demand this from all their venues. Not only that, but production companies who supply the town's equipment would all come tested and tagged, fire retardant materials, and safety chains attached. (I'm not including non-theatre venues, such as pubs/clubs, etc, which often have a different set up) If this is so common in WA, maybe you should be contacting your local Work Safety division? I've seen some dodgy things in my time, but the venues that haven't done the above have always been places that pro techies avoid. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

Actualy that is great Na! So it must have changed dramaticly since I worked there a few years ago? However if my memory serves me corretly. I believe when each State adopted the National Restricted & Limited licence system, the vic & NSW entertaiment techies were the most out spoken & vocal on resisting the need to have an electrical licence. While I believe at the time that Queensland along with WA Techies were in favour of the introduction, across the board. I would imagine as WA theatre is but a pimple on the backside of the industry. It is quicker to scan & pick up any looming problems, than it would be possible to overview in a larger market place. As for the equipment suppliers in most regards the equipment most at risk is rather old & would have possibly been provided with safety chains, but given time they become lost & forgotten, much the same as what happens in Victoria & other States. However the attitude of Group Commitees is similar, in not wishing to spend or know about the technical side. Treating it as a 'Set n forget' area!believing that once they have shelded out to procure the equipment, nothing more needs to be spent, done or heaven forbid orginise ongoing maintence. So I doubt we are that much different at the group comeatre level!

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds. 

I'm not sure. I don't do a lot of tech work these days, but in my experience, most, if not all, places have been of pretty good technical standard. As for testing and tagging, you do need a cert. and I know of a number of places that regularly test and tag their equipment. I know that the hiring companies do it, and that they take the safety requirements of their equipment seriously. Whether or not the standards are the same across the board or not is another matter. I can't speak of amateur groups, because I don't work with them, but I would hope that their prod. managers are smart enough to follow correct safety procedures and use proper equipment. The only people I have ever met who were willing to bend safety standards were ones that didn't know they existed in the first place (ie. not properly trained, or have the right experience/knowledge to be in charge of production decisions). Maybe I've just been lucky in terms of who I've worked with and where. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

One of the down sides of AS/NZS3760:2003 is that Australian Standards are copyright so you have to buy a copy to keep up to date unless you can access it via a library etc. Metrotest in NZ give a summary http://www.metrotest.com/AS-NZS376%20UPDATE.htm and a Competent Person can now test and tag, it is the Responsible Person who has to ensure they are competent. You need some form of electrical license to carry out repairs or to test and tag Construction Sites as you have to put your license number on the tag. Amateur theatres do not have such luxuries as production managers, hopefully a conscientious individual will be looking after the equipment or a local council may be directing safety standards. I posted the updated document to assist the conscientious individuals to help them get funding for their work and to prompt some groups to update their tech standards. If we keep our theatres and venues up to standard, we are more efficient and productive when setting up for shows, so spend less time fixing equipment when we should be focussing and plotting.

Hi Don I have read the building act and it seems to say that electrical equipment only needs to be tested and tagged if it is used in a temporary location or construction site. Does this mean a community theatre in a building does not need to get luminaires or extension cables tagged?

Though the question is really a law one, I can't see where you'd get that idea. Though the testing and tagging section (Appendix 9) doesn't specifically say, 'you must test and tag no matter where you are or what your group is', it does seem clear enough to me that that is what they mean. This appendix is particularly focused on persuing the point with temporary shows (ie. circuses). I quote: "The intent of the Regulation is to have portable electrical equipment tested and tagged at six months intervals." Since all lights are portable, it wouldn't matter whether or not it is used on a construction site or temporary location, or in a permanent location. If you think that because you're a community group, you don't have the obligation to ensure your equipment is safe every six months/year, then you're putting your entire cast/crew/audience at risk. The point of testing and tagging is to find out what needs repairing before it's too late. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

Well stated Na! This exactly the intent of the Act. Simply everthing that is plugged in is consdered temporary & part of the Portable aplliance Test[PAT], however the 'Log book' also covers the fixed wired installed 'Exit' & 'emergency Lighting' as well. this also includes extention leads, desk lamps & any other appliance used in a performance. As Don pionted out testing can be carried out by a competant person, but repaires have to effected by a holder of a Full, restricted or Limited Electrical Licence. This also applies to other type of performances, not just inside an existing building. Duty of care is each individual members responsiblity, not only that of the Group as a whole. Also the Health Act has to be read inconjunction with all other related Acts. Such as the Building Code, Electrical & Worksafe. The hiccup is, ignorance is not a legal excuse & won't stand up as a valid defence in court.

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds. 

I just find it odd that anyone would think it was ok not to test and tag, because they're a community group. If I see a rusty old chainsaw, I don't hand it to my volunteer crew and say "It's ok, we're a community group. We don't need safety checks". (No offense to David F... I'm exaggerating to make a point) Even if it wasn't a mandate of the government, I would insist on doing a test and tag anyway. There's a lot of old equipment out there, in old venues, and I can't think of an easier way to make sure the equipment won't kill you. Though you need a licence to test and tag (at least in VIC), all it is: taking a tool and applying it to the plug of a piece of equipment. It takes about three minutes to do; including the time it takes to write out and attach the tag. A couple of hours worth of work for your local techie/electrician, versus the possibility of someone getting hurt and your public liability skyrocketing... which one would you choose? Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds. 

I can remember not that long ago, there was a heap of resistance to having manditory fire equiptment tested regularly & paying for it! Especialy when it came to fire Indictor panels & automatic detection & supression systems. what am I on about? There are still a load of grumbles, when it comes to shelling out for this service. Thinking on from Na's chain saw analogy. If this involved warm props, luvvies & twirlies, there would be no topic to discuss, it would be part of the commitees normal practice & business. I realise that our biggest reuseable resource is people, but techies are always thin on the ground, so should we not be ensuring they work in a safe enivoroment. Even looking to update equiptment such as having electricaly safe 'A' frame ladders, a fall arresting harness, safer tested & mentained equipment. which should be an integral percentage of any on going General House Keeping &/or show budgets. As far as fire, emergency & evacution drills are concerned. I believe you could count on one hand the amount that actualy take place, each year & still have three fingers left over. I don't know but I would imagine 'Aunty' ITA is made up of 100+ theatre group membership, where the greatest majority have not had &/or any idea if the teatre has an emergency proceedure in place, beside panic? If say a techie is electricaly fried, what do we do/ Beyond ringing for an ambulance &/or fire brigade to put him out. There again an appeal for a 'Doctor in the house' could be a lot of concelations. So just a thought - Does your group have regular emergency drills & are you FOH's able to handle an Emergency, Evaction or electriction during a performance? I know it is all too hard to think or worry about it! Would not be easier, just put the victims in big 'Glad Bags' & place the bodies out side the gate. This will certainly will save a lot of paper work! I wondeder how many theatre group Presidents or Executive commitee members, would wish they could evaporate, instead of raising thier right hand & swearing to "Tell the truth & ......" at an Inquest? {It could be the best part you will ever play - without auditioniing for!} Chookas joe

Hello David A community group that is putting on a performance for the public has made that location a "public building" so have to abide by the act. A community theatre in a building are occupying someones building, usually a local council building, so they are bound to their regulations. Councils and schools, which are also public buildings, are bound by the Health and Safety Act which requires them to provide a safe working environment. The councils will develop a risk management plan on how to best provide a safe working environment in their buildings and usually follow the lead of other councils by making a ruling that all electrical equipment has to be safe, the fixed electrical equipment needs to be inspected regularly to AS/NXS3000 and portable electrical equipment needs to be tested and tagged to AS/NZS3760:2003 as it is the most applicable guideline. So if you look into your accomodation arrangements, you will probably find a requirement to maintain your portable electrical equipment in a safe condition. Some councils are very proactive and will give tenants an annual checklist to work through as part of their lease agreement. The big problem with testing and tagging is that people think that if they see a tag the item is safe and do not consciously inspect the item before they use it. What is realy beneficial for your community theatre is to place the onus on all users and handlers of portable electrical equipment to visually inspect it before any use so faulty items can be removed from service. The implementation of testing and tagging only means an item has been visually inspected at the time of tagging. If you have a 3 month or 6 month or even a 5 year testing interval, people seem to think the item is magically safe for the whole period. Have a look at the UWA Electrical Safety web pages to learn about practical testing and tagging. I wrote most of this for work. http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/electrical_safety Maybe it is time to run an electrical safety workshop for amateur theatres in WA through the ITA. I will volunteer my services as it is a worthy cause. There will have to be a reasonable limit, maybe 4 workshops each in a different location ?

Just want to add two thumbs up for adding that people should be checking their equipment between test and tags - while it is something techies are trained to do, it's easy to forget or be complacent about. Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

Hi Na Just to clarify I'm not against checking electrical equipment for faults. I'm a qualified Electrical Engineer so I know the safety risks & it's me who is working with them! I am just trying to clarify the LEGAL requirements. Certainly if luminaires are classified as portable and the Act says all portable equipment regardless of its location must be tested you must have them tagged. If it is not a legal requirement all lights should be tested anyway, it just means someone like myself can do it rather than someone with a contractors ticket.

The SUGGESTED testing intervals for equipment is in table 4 in AS/NZS3760:2003, however you will find copies by searching the web, here is one site http://www.atts.com.au/intervals.htm . Please note the wording as you provide the risk analysis and determine your test interval. A community theatre will usually have its lighting on standard lighting bars, away from harms way, apart from overzelous set construction people, so will have two choices. The lead is not normally flexed during use, it is only flexed during rigging or focussing so could be 5 yearly, or because of said overzelous set construction people, could be 12 monthly as the appliance is open to abuse. Storage of unused lights will also affect this decision, are they hung up out of harms way? My suggestion, without prejudice etc, for low risk Community Theatre is two yearly test and tag providing you visually inspect every time before each use, if it is a low risk environment. This is because there is usually only one or if you are lucky, two people looking after community theatre lighting. In a school, definitley 12 monthly or less if necessary. If you have lots of unknown competence people using the lighting, then before every show starts rigging, a full visual inspection. See how quickly the intervals change to suit the risk. The Public Buildings guidelines mentions testing of a system of leads and portable outlet devices within six months of an electrical installation (building wiring), they are referring to patch panels, that are used to connect lights to dimmers with flexible leads. In WA you only need a contractors ticket to install permanent wiring. You need an electrical licence of some form, can be a restricted one, to carry out repairs of portable electrical appliances. In WA you only have to be a Competent person, aproved by the Responsible person, to test and tag. The committe is the responsible person in community theatre so in their minutes, they need to approve a Competent Person to test and tag their portables electrical appliances. Or they can hire someone to do it, but still need to ensure that that person or business know what they are doing. (We are choking in red tape most days) Keep asking questions, making comments, we will cover all bases yet.

I didn't think you were... just found the idea odd I guess. As for needing a ticket - I know in VIC you must have a licence to test and tag. I don't know about in WA... Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at Puppets in Melbourne

In SA you only need to be a Competent Person, but the authorities suggest the easiest way to be a Competent Person if you are not a licensed electrician is to do the TAFE test and tag course which earns you a certificate. I don't exactly disagree with you Don but given the age of much equipment owned by community theatres I think at least an annual test and tag would be essential. The older equipment gets the quicker it can deteriorate between tests. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Once you start a scheduled maintenance program, which incorporates testing, tagging and visual inspections before any use as well as people always looking at portable electrical equipment, there is less risk of an electrical accident occurring with a five yearly test, tag and inspection cycle, than a twelve monthly cycle of testing and tagging, done by a contractor who is not familiar with theatre electrical equipment, and the equipment being used by people who believe they are not in any risk from an electrical accident as the equipment has a tag on it. They will not even bother to look to see if the tag is current, they will just see a test tag. So my risk analysis takes into account the age of the equipment, the user environment and the external influences you usually have no control over. The responsible people need to enforce the visual inspection as a club directive that is monitored. Hope that is a valid risk assessment. regard Don

Basicly to try & clarify the Licence situation a wee bit. There is a Nation Licence system of 'Restricted' & 'Limited' Lincenses, which came into being quite a few years ago. Primarily it came about because of the need of other electricly dependant trades. Such as Refrigeration, Plumbing & even Painters. Because most were engaged in disconting, repairs & isolating electrical appliance, be they Single or Multi Phase equipment. This is now a National requirement, which a rarety in it's self! Where each State agreed to follow one system. However each state still retains it's own seperate system of licening qualified electricains, who have completed an Indentureship & passed relevent examinations. As an Electrical 'Fitter. Mechanic [Installer]. Motor Winder, instument Fitter & so on. Inclusive of other Endorsement like 'Cat 5' ect. Needless to say from my experiance, which may or not be the case today? A fully Qualified & Licenced Electricain, wishing to work in another State. Has to apply to the electrical Authority licencing Workers board for either a tempory Permit or go thru an endorsement proceedure. It used to be that in Queensland & West Australia, they were required to pass an Examination test. While some of the other States, it was only a question of completing a form, with validation of previous qualifications & Licence details. As I say this may have changed some what, as it is a long time since I needed to go thru this process in other states. But as usual transfering from State to State authorities, always attracts of couse crossing thier palms with Brass, gold or Silver [& you don't even get your fortune told?]. In WA licenced electricain have to pay an annual renewal fee, to keep thier licence valid. [if for what ever reson the renewal lapses for a period of 5 years - The electricain has to complete a training course at a reconised training provider & pass an examination - which I believe is not the case in some other states. [To me this is rather pathetic, as it is not a question of safe working, but one of revenue. I know a number of electricains who keep paying thier annial licence fee each year. Yet have not worked in the electrical industry for some thirty odd years or so & have no idea about changes over that period. But are still validated to work as a licenced electrician. However this might change, because of a lack of licenced electricains through out the state at present- But that's all another story &/or novel!] Back on topic as Don mentioned it is primarly within the scope of the 'Responsible' party [Theatre Commitee], to adopt the policy & rules governing the proceedure, in complance with the Act, as to the 'Risk Assesment' of the venue &/or equipment in thier control. This is normal with all aspects of the performing arts & other endeavours - so long as it is agreed to & noted in the Groups Minutes, as proof of this determination. Which is the norm with other Commercial or Industrail situations, who utalise a "safety Commitee' as descibed under 'Worksafe', which becomes the prescibed method of operations. [ In conjunction wuth other Legislative & Gazetted Acts]. So while the period is half yearly, it made be determined because of logistics & useage of type of equipment, for the period to be extended or shortend - So long as it hapens on a regulated basis!] I believe the intent of the legislation is to be used as guidelines, in safety determinations & assesment. Without knitting a sweater & scarf from the red tape? Unfortunatly I'm old enough to remember the 60's, arriving in WA & gaining my 'Plug & Cord' Licence. For the princly sum of 5 shillings, after paying a Half a crown for a colour bind eye test. In those days each Public Performance venue was charged 1 shilling/year for a performace premises fee & also even push bikes each attracted a licence plate fee of 2 shillings. But this was long before me getting a C, B & A grade Lincence [+ Cat 5 endorsement latter on. However in those times thier was a myriad of electrical licences, for such things as Projectionists & other electric orientated trades & endeavours. {These were all collected & cleaned up under the National Restricted & limited licence system [Except for the Push Bike registration fee - which became extinct Thank gawd!} In fact even though we now have a National R & L licence system, there are still a lot of theatre & enterttaiment techies, who won't have a bar of it. Angrily stating that as "I have been doing this for sum 35 years, why do I need to bother, as no one is going to teach me any more, than I know now - so stick your licences!". Me thinks some how they have missed or got on the wrong bus on this one! In all respects as has previous suggested, these are the techies that need an orientation workshop on safe preceedures - even if it just helps them with catching the right bus in future. I for one I will volunteer to assist & help in anyway, for this to come about. I hope this waffle might help clean the windows a wee bit?

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds. 

You may or not know, that here in WA, the power supply differs from the eastern States. Our supply is 440VAC 3 phase & 254VAC single phase [+/-5% acording to the supply authority scriptures, but spikes & surges do occur - but it easier these days to smooth out the power supply, with technoligy, as I'm sure it happens from time to time in other states. (but that is all another story)] So the Portable Appliance Test should be more so part of the WA general theatre/venue housekeeping proceedures & policy. This may help all the warm props, luvvies & twirlies in Ameatre & beyond. Which is an actualy guarded secret, that Sparkies & techies know about, but don't divulge to others, especial in the performing arts. But as this topic has highlighted the electrical safety. It would be in line to give an insight in to the mystical world of lighting & electrix. However the relisation of the basics of what electricity & light are about? Comes when the the electrical apprentice completes thier Indenture. Or the 'TIT' [Techie In Training] 'serves thier time' & is let loose as a KAT [Know All Techie]. The secret is electricity is based upon the "Spectral Manifestation Of Known EMF (Voltage)" A.k.a 'SMOKE' for short! Now after they have grasped nettle of 'OHMS LAW' they become to understand it is not mystical things like electrons & all the res of the 'Tron' family - it's simply S.M.O.K.E! Bell Labs have done extentsive reseach on the generation of S.M.O.K.E & thier findings have been published. Anyone can prove thier findings simply. If they have ever witnessed smoke coming out of an appliance. This generaly means that yes the equipment is working, but more importantly that electricity [smoke] is leaking. Unless some action is taken to plug the leak, it will eventualy run out of smoke & stop working! Now you may ask how the smoke gets in & powers up the equipment? This is simple as smoke power is generated by Darkness being absorbed by the light globe, to also prove this! Just think of every time you enter a dark room & switch a light globe on. {The globe is a 'Darkness Absorber [Sucker]}, this is easily observed as the Dakness disapears from the room & becomes light. Much the same as every time your driving a car & it becomes dark. You turn the headlights on & the darkness is sucked up into the 'Smoke collector' [battery] for storage, to be used later. The same as hapens with a torch, knowing all tourch smore storage units [batteries] leak eventualy, the darness generated smoke will out & the torch stops working. So now you know the secret of electricity, this may help in future to take action imediatly upon seeing any smoke & advising the techie or sparky, that this is happening, rather than just ignoring hoping it will run out - this will also helps save power & resources. If further investigation is required, this websyte by Joseph Lucas will go a long way to answering all your possible questions?;- http://www.peizhang.com/forfun/forfun_writings_smoke.htm Joe

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds. 

The WA ac supply voltages are: "voltages of 240v single phase and 415v three phase with a range of pluse or minus 6%;and a frequency of 50 cycles per second with a range of plus or minus 2.5%. This is found at http://www.energy.wa.gov.au/cproot/596/2563/RQSC%20Public%20Information%20FINAL%20%20(4).pdf This gives us a maximum of 254.4v single phase and a minimum of 225.6v." There are possibly exceptions occurring in real life, this is the nominal supply voltage for WA. It is not wise to use appliances set up for 220v in WA.