Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 2001 - 52

4. Chemical Hazard: chemicals can cause flash
fires, nausea, skin damage, unconsciousness
and death.
5. Rigging Problems: overhead use of nonrated hardware.

hazards
Assessment/Risk Management Programs
It is our opinion, that annual risk assessments and analyses of entire theatre
complexes and their operations should be mandatory throughout the industry. This must be part of a Risk Management Program. Comprehensive Risk
Management Programs are a necessity and those theatres without it, and
they are legion, must have them. Those theatres with only a Safety Program, are jeopardizing their operations and their personnel.

Training Programs
Every code and standard that applies to theatre operations and their personnel require training and ongoing training. Federal, state and local governmental programs and standards, and most corporate and association
groups demand training as a part of participation in any labor or task.
Risk management programs contain intense training modules, and all of
them can apply to theatre operations.

A List of Typical Hazards in the Entertainment

Industry

This list of hazards is minimal and represents areas that everyone in the
industry, in our opinion, needs to be cautioned about. The liability for not
notifying and training all personnel is extremely high. Due Diligence and the
Duty to Warn are legal requirements for everyone. Injuries, incidents, deaths
and major law suits proceed directly from the lack of implementation of
Health and Safety Programs and Competency Training. Federal regulations in
every country apply.
* Hazards from chemicals: use, storage, lack of facility protection, fire, lack of
proper personal protective devices, improper waste storage and disposal
* Hazards from fatigue due to extended hours and overtime
* Hazards from using combustible second hand furniture

Conclusions
In my opinion, I would grade the industry with a strong C-minus in the
majority of areas we have listed in our presentation, and a D in all the
other areas. It is my thinking, having been involved for fifty-nine years in
this entertainment industry, thirty-six years of it with USITT, as well as
my firm belief, that the theatre industry and its personnel will not decide
to change and or improve in the areas of safety and health until some
catastrophic incident hits them, directly or indirectly, in the pocketbook, or they, or someone near and dear to them is injured or killed in
a theatre catastrophe of some type.
USITT, ESTA, ANSI, OSHA, IAAM, ASSE and others may and will
continue to work toward health and safety, but until personal risk management becomes integrated into our daily operations, and all of us accept the personal obligation of our role in safeguarding our fellow
workers, we will not be law abiding citizens.
Fellows of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, fellow
theatre practitioners, and all here who profess to have as their major
concern the health and safety of those who work in the theatre and attend
the theatre...each of you has a moral and legal obligation to create and
provide a comprehensive risk management program with a healthy and safe
working environment for every person who works in the theatre.

Sapsis Rigging;
b/w; new film;
drop rules

TD & T

S U M M E R

2 0 0 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Summer 2001