Risk Analysis and Risk reduction
Thu, 24 July 2008, 10:10 amDon Allen42 posts in thread
Risk Analysis and Risk reduction
Thu, 24 July 2008, 10:10 amHow many risks are you aware of when working in a theatre or even being in a theatre onstage or backstage.
Electrocution
Cuts
Broken Bones
Eye damage
Hearing damage
Community theatres have a responsability under the WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and WA OSH Regulations 1996 to provide a safe working environment. There may also be additional responsabilities imposed by local councils.
As an individual you have the same responsabilities.
These following links will provide usefull and productive information:
Why productive ? if you maintain your venue and its equipment to a safe standard, you greatly reduce the setup times for shows and remove a lot of the glitches that may affect a performance.
I did not use the work "accident" as I do not beleieve there is such a thing as an accident, anything that goes wrong is as a direct result of someone being incompetent or using unsafe work practices.!
WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/pco/prod/FileStore.nsf/Documents/MRDocument:7379P/$FILE/OccupSftyAndHealthAct1984_05-g0-00.pdf?OpenElement
WA OSH Regulations 1996 http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/pco/prod/FileStore.nsf/Documents/MRDocument:7552P/$FILE/OccupSftyAndHealthRegs1996_06-b0-00.pdf?OpenElement
Risk Assessment (UK) http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/fivesteps.htm
The backsateg Information Guide - Bath University http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/infoguides/index.shtml
ABTT Theatre Essentials http://www.abtt.org.uk/PDFs/Theatre_Essentials.pdf
Guidelines on the Application of the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992 http://www.population.health.wa.gov.au/environmental/resources/Public%20Buildings%20Guidelines%20Final.pdf
Safety Guidelines For The Entertainment Industry (Australian) http://www.entservices.com.au/pdfs/theatrereqs/AustnEntertainmentIndustrySafetyGuidelines.pdf
In the absence of any formal training for amateur theatre technicians, then self education is the way to go.
I suggest you download any of these documents that allow you to, as it is an excellent start to a library and sometimes web resources tend to dissappear.
I always notify actors who walk under ladders when someone is working above them, that it would be a pity to waste all of their rehearsal time, only to miss out on performing because they have been injured during a tech rehearsal, so keep clear and be aware of their surroundings.
It happens all too often
Sat, 26 July 2008, 11:42 amIt happens all too often Nev!
I don't think I count the amount of times a warm prop or twirlie, has ended up in the pit, because of neglect & the want of a strip of even white gaffer tape on the edge of the apron. Or how often a near miss fails to be reported, actioned & rectified. Normally any complaint is wiped over & easily forgotten about. The onus is not only on SM but everyone concerned, as each individual has a duty of care & is responsible. I wonder how many theatre groups actually have an incident register?
Primarily on stage it falls within the domain of the SM & similarly the FOH Manager. It also follows when it concerns a punter, even if nothing comes of it, it is a valuable record with Insurance claims & to protect the interest of all concerned.
There are oodles of cheap products available that can be used as safety messures;-http://glowinc.com/
I know in the UK before every production & event. They go to the lengths of filling out & filling a Risk Assessment Form, which becomes archived with the production & at the theatre/venue, for future reference.
Also I doubt if most theatre/venues have even taken the trouble to have Emergency procedures posted or even practised as part of normal procedure. Even what to do if there is an incident? Do the Emergency & Exit lights work in a power failure &/or Fire? All of these situations are easy to simulate & should be practised regularly.
Instead of the usual attitude of if it did happen! Just ensure the bodies are put out side the door or gate. Which does save everyone a heap of paper work!
It is just if not more important to have these in practises in place, when renting a venue, as it is if the group have their own theatre.
Long gone are the days of having to have a designated Fire & Emergency Officer in the venue at all relevant times, during a show or rehearsal. May be it needs to be brought back or at least ensure the SM or FOH Manger are versed & have a planned out procedure to deal with any untoward situation.
There again why bother as it hasn't happened in forty five years, so why do we need to worry?
Which always makes for an interesting, but not unique defence at a Coronal Inquest.
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