Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2008 - 46

a work task is performed must be trained to recognize that a
hazard exists and how to avoid that hazard. Any person who has
not received specific training is an unqualified person. A worker who has been trained to perform a task might be qualified
to perform that task and still be unqualified to perform any
other task. The characteristics of being qualified and unqualified are task dependent."
What do these terms "qualified person," "unqualified person," and "competent person" mean to members of
USITT? Are we all qualified persons? Should we be? The answer depends on your need to protect yourself and your venue in the event of an accident and it depends on how you want
to serve yourself and your students or employees by properly
preparing them for the careers of the future.
Years ago, the USITT Engineering Commission was instrumental in getting single-conductor feeder cable and connectors defined and legitimatized in the National Electrical
Code. That process resulted in the appearance on the scene
of the concept known as Qualified Personnel. Now, the Code
and other standards worldwide are liberally laced with requirements for qualified personnel. It is a way of identifying
someone who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of entertainment industry equipment
and installations, and who has received safety training to
recognize, correct, and avoid the hazards involved. The
concept is familiar to most of us, e.g., training and safety
awareness are required in most localities in order to operate
a forklift, while similar training is required in order to obtain
an ordinary driver's license.
An article published in Sightlines in June 1998 posed
the question: "What functions can general workers or students be allowed or expected to perform in my venue; and
what functions are reserved for Qualified Personnel?" The
article contained two lists, one with functions that can be performed by anyone and another with tasks that require special
training. Updated lists are presented below.

Tasks That Can Be Performed
By Any Entertainment
Technician
*	 Hang,	aim,	focus	and	operate	luminaires	including	
automated luminaires and follow spots;
*	 Run	and	plug-in	extension	cords	from	receptacles	to	
luminaires and other electrical equipment;
*	 Plug-in	and	operate	lighting,	sound,	or	other	control	
consoles;
*	 Plug	portable	dimmer	packs	into	existing	multi-pole	
power outlets, 150A or less (e.g., range plugs);
*	 Run	and	plug-in	low-voltage	analog	or	digital	control	
cable for lighting, audio, video, and effects;
*	 Re-lamp	luminaires	except	for	Xenon	lamps;
*	 Run	low-voltage	wire	for	doorbells,	and	telephone	
ringers not connected to public telecommunications;
*	 Plug-in	and	operate	chain	motors	and	controls;

*	 Set	switchboards	and	other	distribution	equipment	in	position under supervision, but not connect or energize them;
*	 Run	single-conductor	feeder	cable	under	supervision,	but	
not connect or energize it.

Tasks Requiring Qualified
Personnel with Special
Training
*	 Maintain	and	repair	luminaires,	replacing	pigtails,	
lamp sockets, plugs and connectors;
*	 Maintain	and	repair	all	types	of	power	and	control	
cables;
*	 Assemble	new	electrical	extension	cables;
*	 Assemble	new	low-voltage	analog	or	digital	control	
cables for lighting, audio, video, and effects;
*	 Adjust	and	replace	plug-in	dimmer	modules	and	control trays in dimmer racks;
*	 Install	electrical	wiring	on	or	into	set	pieces	(practical light fixtures, wall receptacles, chase lights, etc.);
*	 Specify,	supervise,	connect,	and	energize	single-conductor feeder cable systems;
*	 Tie-in	portable	dimmer	racks	and	audio	rack	feed	
cables to power outlets or portable generators;
*	 Operate	portable	generators;
*	 Supervise	all	electrical	work	pertaining	to	portable	
entertainment equipment;
*	 Maintain	and	repair	dimmer	units,	configure	portable	
dimmers for single-phase or three-phase power;
*	 Install	connectors	to	utilization	equipment	control	
and power wiring;
*	 Assemble	new	feeder	cables;
*	 Make	required	safety	ground	connections;
*	 Perform	basic	maintenance	on	portable	switchgear,	
dimmer racks, and electrical/electronic equipment;
*	 Perform	basic	operations	and	procedures	with	electrical metering tools;
*	 Perform	any	form	of	live	(open	panel)	electrical	work	
if absolutely necessary.
Of course all entertainment electrical work is limited to
the installation and maintenance of portable generators, feeders, branch circuits, and equipment used for the production of
trade shows, exhibits, festivals, conventions, theatre, carnivals,
traveling shows, movie and television locations, and film and
video productions. Permanent wiring of electrical distribution
centers and other equipment, or installation, maintenance, or
repair of service conductors and service equipment are the responsibility of licensed electricians.
The result of the Sightlines article was an expression of
shock, not the electrical kind but the cerebral kind. The surprise was not over the list of can do's but over the list of can't
do's. "What do you mean I can't have workers or students tying
in dimmer boards or making extension cords?" If one is simply connecting a luminaire to a connector strip or floor pocket
via an extension cord, or a console to a wall receptacle in the

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2008
