Tech Theatre Safety

Safety should be placed first above all aspects of theatre.

Safety is a matter of:• Moral Obligation• Self-preservation• It’s the LAW

Theatre should operate in such a way that no one gets hurt.

[ Safety for audience first in regard to a performance

(“women and children first!”) ]

Theatre safety means protecting the crew, cast, and audience from all

foreseeable hazards and emergencies.

These are the seven main causes of accidents:

• Insufficient knowledge• Improper use of tools and facilities• Failure to safegard hazardous equipment• Failure to remove faulty equipment• Carelessness• Taking unnecessary risks• Being in a hurry.

What is the most dangerous time of production?

• People are excited that the show is over.• People are exhausted from putting the show up.• People are in a hurry.

STRIKING A SHOW[Striking means taking a show apart

once it has ended.]Why is it dangerous?

The Seven GeneralSafety Regulations

1.) NO DANGEROUS ACTIVITY

• No practical jokes• No running• No jumping• No throwing tools or materials• No “horseplay”

2.) Lift objects properly:

• Bend the knees• Keep the body straight• Push upward with the legs• Get help if the object is heavy or awkward

3.) Keep Scene Shop and Stage CLEAN

• Return tools to proper storage places• Empty trash bins (trash runs)• Clean the floor (sweep and/or mop)• Clear walkways and exits

4.) REPORT ACCIDENTS IMMEDIATELY

• Do not ignore an injury• Report broken equipment or materials as

soon as they happen.• Do not continue to work with an injury or with

broken equipment

5.) Know how to operate fire extinguishers

6.) Yell “HEADS” if you drop an object from up above

• If you hear “HEADS”, cover your head with your arms.

7.) Do NOT tamper with electrical equipment.

Scene Shop Dress Code

• Closed-toe shoes ALWAYS• Always wear protective eyewear when using

power tools• No loose-fitting clothes, scarves, ties, or

jewelry• Tie back long hair• Roll up long sleeves or button the cuffs

FIREFire can be divided into 3 categories:

• Class A – ordinary combustibles: paper, cloth, wood, cardboard, etc.

• Class B – petroleum base: paint, oil, grease, fuel, etc.

• Class C – electrical

1. Know proper procedures for evacuation2. Know how to operate fire extinguisher3. Fire extinguisher must be unobstructed at all

times

LADDERS

• Never substitute a chair or box for a small ladder.

• Do not paint wooden ladders.• Rest the base of a straight ladder on level

surfaces ONLY. Base should be about ¼ the length of the ladder.

• Straight ladders should be tied off, blocked or held to avoid sliding.

• Make sure ladder is completely opened – NEVER stand on the top step.

• Secure tools while working. Do not leave tools on the ladder.

• After use, ladder should be returned to proper storage. (put it back where you found it)

LADDERS(continued)

TOOLS & MACHINERY• Keep work areas free of clutter.• Select the proper tool for the job –

don’t improvise.• Do not use the power tools without teacher

permission.• The table saw blade should be recessed when

not in use.• Never carry a power tool with your finger on

the switch (trigger).

TOOLS & MACHINERY(continued)

• Do not force tools. • Do not ever reach.• Never work on a tool (changing bits, blades,

belts, etc.) while it is connected to an electrical outlet.

• Disconnect equipment from power source when not in use.

• Return tools immediately after completing work (put it back where you found it)

LIGHTING

1. ONLY authorized and trained students are permitted to work with light circuitry, dimmers, and instruments.

2. NO FOOD OR BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED IN LIGHT CONTROL AREAS.

PAINTING

• Use proper ventilation when painting.• Never use solvents (mineral spirits, paint

thinner, etc.) to clean your hands.• Clean all spilled paint immediately• When no longer painting:

– Seal paint that is to be saved– CLEAN BRUSHES AND MATERIALS THOROUGHLY– Put all materials back in their places before

leaving your workspace

REMEMBER:

• Scene shop safety is, for the most part, common sense.

• Paying attention and thinking can help avoid most potential accidents.

• As always, if you are not sure how something is done or how a piece of equipment works, come ask a teacher. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO “figure it out as you go.”

KNOWING YOUR SPACES

• What kind of theatres do we have in our building?

A BLACK BOX theatre is a theatre with a very simple, unadorned design which makes it an extremely flexible space. The room

which contains the theatre is typically square and painted black, because black is a neutral color which will not clash with

costumes, sets, and lighting. The floor is flat and open, allowing people to arrange seating however they desire.

The classically defining feature of a PROSCENIUM theatre is the proscenium, an arch which frames the stage for the

audience. In addition, the audience faces the stage directly, with no audience on the sides of the stage, and the stage in

a proscenium theatre is typically raised, allowing the audience to see more clearly. Modern proscenium theatres sometimes lack the proscenium, but they are still called “proscenium theatres”

because they retain the other characteristics.

OTHER KINDS OF THEATRES

• ARENA• THRUST

An ARENA STAGE or THEATRE IN THE ROUND central stage surrounded by

audience on all sides. The stage area is often raised to improve sightlines.

An AMPHITHEATRE is an oval or round structure having tiers of seats rising gradually outward from a central open space or arena.

A THRUST STAGE is surrounded by audience on three sides. The Fourth side serves as the background.

In a typical modern arrangement: the stage is often a square or rectangular playing area, usually raised,

surrounded by raked seating.

STAGE LINGO

VOMITORIUM

• (vom) is a passage situated below or behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre, to get from the lobby to the seats. They are also used as pathways for actors to enter and leave stage.

APRON

• The portion of the stage or playing space that is downstage of the proscenium arch.

Tormentor Grand Drape

Teaser

Border

Leg

BACKDROPS• Also known as a “Drop”. A large curtain, which

hangs upstage and hides the back wall of the theater from the audience. Backdrops are painted to resemble some sort of scene or abstract image.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4q6jNOLvf0

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

• How to prevent fires• How to use a fire extinguisher• Parts of a fire extinguisher• How to maintain

• Safely contain hazardous chemicals to reduce the risk of fire.

• Identify, organize, and segregate dangerous liquids.

• Offer compliance with the National Fire Protection Association.

• Improve security with keyed locking mechanism.

SAFETY CABINET

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V-URnyvcGM&feature=related

P.A.S.S.

The label describes the type of extinguisher. Different types are combustible, liquids, electrical and flammable metals.

The locking pin is a safety guard that should be left in position until you are actually ready to use your extinguisher.

The pressure gauge should be in the green to be sure there is enough pressure in the tank to work properly.

MAINTENANCE • The extinguisher is not blocked by equipment, coats or other objects

that could interfere with access in an emergency.• The pressure is at the recommended level. On extinguishers equipped

with a gauge. The needle should be in the green zone - not too high and not too low.

• The nozzle or other parts are not hindered in any way.• The pin and tamper seal (if it has one) are intact.• There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and/or other signs of

abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil etc. that may have deposited on the extinguisher.

• Some manufacturers recommend shaking your dry chemical extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling/packing.

MAINTENANCE CONTINUED

• All extinguishers should be inspected at least once a year. The extinguisher is checked to make sure it has proper pressure, has the correct volume of extinguishing agent, is within the required hydro test and internal maintenance intervals, is in good condition, and all external parts are serviceable. A new tamper seal is then placed around the pin with a yearly service tag.

• Internal Maintenance:– Water - every 5 years– Foam - every 5 years– Wet chemical & CO2 - every 5 years– Dry chemical - every 6 years

• IMPORTANT: Recharge all extinguishers immediately after use regardless of how much they were used.

OSHA

• With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.