Safety is everybody's concern

Thank you Stephen for your posting and coverage of this tragic event.

This report on the Radiohead Toronto concert roof collapse was sent out via email to all CX subscribers yesterday.

http://juliusmediagroupptyltd.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/r/DD1D5157A5CA1EE4/6DD29BC2413BB92B4E9AB52EF5D51DA2

 The global sound industry sends it's condolences to the family of Scott Johnson, the drum tech fatally injured in the collapse.

 Your 'dead' right Graeme!

Having been backstage in a couple of major 'Proeatre' set disasters, where by the Fly Pack has come down like a pack of cards, which luckly no one was killed.  Both times this happend in a Proeatre venue. & as yet no majors reported in Ameatre? Which might be pure dumb luck, rather than good management. Or the 'near miss' ones have been swept under the carpet.

I cringe sometimes when wandering backstage, at the potential for an Ambulance or body bag trip!

Invarably it is simple things overlooked that starts the chain reaction. I have always believed this theatre Game'  is the most potentialy dangerous 'game' in the world. further it has always amazed me, how we don't have more than our fair share of acidents.

Possibly because these days there is legislation & 'Work Safe' procedures that must be followed, that forces bods to stop & think. Before charging in like aBull at a gate! (But my inbuilt Jury is still out on that one).

When I hink back of shows I have been inolved in & the dramas you need to go hru to convince commitees that they need to spend in oder to ensure they perform 'Safe Sets'!

Have a check around your own space, in fact I have always pushed for a Safety Officer to be either a seconded &/or apionted position to the Commitee/Board. However the belief is they can't, unless the constition is changed. Which in is a load pf cockypoop! They can if they wish to go thru that process, but in fact I believe it falls within the general 'day to day' running Policy of the association.

  I know I am opening a can or worms here, but let me state from the get-go that no insult or inference is meant to ANY of fantastic volunteers that build the sets for our various Community Theatre groups.

Very few Com-eatre groups are lucky enough to have their own resident chippie or even cabinet maker to assist and advise on the construction of sets. Most of the work is performed by volunteers and friends of the various groups and with the continual improvement in the "level" of entertainment that is being achieved by all our respective companies, the sets are constantly becoming more complex, more involved and more detailed. Even the humble three wall "box" set is finding itself sprouting architraves and functioning doors, windows and fires.

COMPROMISE....is a wonderful thing between actors and Directors, but NOT where safety is at stake. Any actor that does not feel safe when crossing a bridge or singing in a balcony has the right to question the integrity of the structure they are asked to perform on (or under). In these times of more complex, multilevel sets it is IMPERATIVE that they be built to correct specifications and that the risk factors are reduced as much as possible. Yes, these are temporary structures that are designed to be moved and removed as easily as possible - but they must be built safe. 

I know of several community theatre people  that are capable of doing that and are that are willing to work outside their own "home" theatre group to provide the best possible solutions for other companies. Ok, they are likely to charge for this service - but what cost does a company put on an actors safety?

Does this take "amateur theatre" into the realms of "professionalism"? Hopefully YES. We need to do this and drop the "she'll be right mate - it can't fall, there's nothing stopping it" way of building sets.

Anyway - enough of my rant..... and if you need the number of the builders I have mentioned ....... feel free to ask, the worst they can say is hopefully  "Sorry - we are too busy!"

There is an aude adage, that  may help!

"If you don't know ask!"

Lets hope it goes beyond just "Talk"!

Althouth I wonder how many multi way electical boards or over stacked doule adaptors are in play, around your theatre? Or frayed & damaged extention cables in use.

Further how many of your 'D' shackles or Turnbuckles are wire moused 'n locked off for safety? Or if you use Manlia or poly plastic synthetic Lines that are worn & in poor condition. Remember the plastic ropes will stretch under overload & tend to break without much warning - Except the resounding tinkle afterwards!

After having spent many hours climbing around Fly lighting battens, it is surprisig the mount of dust there is on lamps & fittings. Which is excelent fuel for fire, along with the amount of missiles waiting to be knocked off their perchs, such as gel frames & the like.

The Pohmy ameatres have to complete a safey screde & compliance form. Which I think might be more for Insurance purposes? But while they tend to bleat about it, they go thru the process & thats where they can pick up any Red flags straight away.

I wonder how many Ameatre venues have adaquate Blue 'Show Mode' lighting behind the pro-arch? or other acess way lights, for when the 'Rag' goes up or out?

It's probably a 'dead cert' not too many. onsidering they are easy enough & fairly cheap these days to purchase & Install.

The same with floor lighting to assist the punters, with acess too & from seats, in the aisles (parados) during a show.

Just a thought!

It's a long time since I worked on the dark side!  I rememberr years ago while I was vworking for a Commercail Lighting Company. I managed to get a heap of light fittings, which were shop sioled &/or returned nder Warranty. The Manufacturer would just replace them & not bother having them picked up. I think nowadays this might not be the case. Because some will have them returned & they are smashed up & disposed of. In fact on average usualy you can make up about 3 good working units out of about 4 units. The bits left over can be used as spare parts as required.

I tend to think this avenue might be closed up these days, however as most are made in China they are cheap enough to start with! But it could be a good scource to check out? You might be able to do a deal, by offering a few Comps for one of your Ameatre shows. Also in a lot of cases with the Bulk Head fittings, it dosent take much to have a 'Blue & White circuits in each fitting. with 'Show Mode' switch Over' in the Bio Box &/or backstage.