TECHNICAL THEATRESAFETY

GENERAL THEATRE SAFETY

Theatres usually have a FIRE CURTAIN that can close off the performing area from the auditorium

Multi purpose ABC rated fire extinguishers should be in every theatre

3-types of fire extinquishers: A- burns to ash, paper, wood etc.; B- combustable, spray paint, oil based paint etc…; C- current, or electrical. The ABC rated is a combination of all three

Fabrics need to be treated with FLAMEPROOFING

Never block FIRE EXITS

Do not wear LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING, JEWELRY and tie your LONG HAIR BACK

Wear OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) approved goggles or safety glasses when working with power tools

Never wear SANDALS. Always wear hard soled, close toed shoes

Always wear WORK GLOVES during LOAD INS, while TAKING OUT THE TRASH, and working the FLY SYSTEM (RAIL) DO NOT wear gloves when using power tools

Never use PERSONAL STEREOS or play MUSIC at high volumes

Only have ONE PERSON on a ladder at a time and do not stand above the SAFE LEVEL

Never leave TOOL ON TOP of the ladder

HORSEPLAY will never be tolerated

Don’t stack things so they are UNSTABLE

NO RUNNING OR PRACTICAL JOKES, throwing tools or materials, jumping from one level to another, or any other dangerous activity

The shop and stage house should be CLEANED and left in a safe condition All tools should be PUT AWAY; stored properly Floors and table should be SWEPT AND CLEANED

regularly All lumber should be CLEARED OF HARDWARE and

stored in their proper place Hardware should be SORTED after strike Costumes should be CLEANED AND STORED

properly

When lifting heavy objects, USE YOUR KNEES and keep the body erect Get help when lifting heavy objects

Store lumber HORIZONTALLY whenever possible

Store scenery VERTICALLY whenever possible

Use a DUST COLLECTION system after EVERY job and make sure your area is CLEAN when you are finished working

SAWDUST can be a FIRE HAZARD

If you have any questions ask your TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Use the RIGHT TOOL for the RIGHT JOB

Tools are divided into 3 categories Cutting Shaping Joining

Terms to knowA CHALK LINE is used to mark long straight

lines

A CARPENTER’S SQUARE is used to lay out tow pieces of wood at a right angle

PLUMB: is vertical

LEVEL: is horizontal Use a “level” to check to see if something is

perfectly plumb or level

TOOL RECOGNITION

Wire StripperNeedle Nose Plier

Level

Drill (battery powered)

Jig or Saber Saw

Circular SawChalk Line

Tri or Speed Square

TAPE MEASURE Pliers

Slotted Screw Driver

Phillips Screw Driver

Adjustable or Crescent Wrench

Claw Hammer

Framing Square Socket Wrench

TOOL

RECOGNITION

Tools and MachineryKeep areas CLEAR of clutter

If you don’t know how to use a tool or piece of machinery ASK

USE SAFETY GLASSES whenever using power tools

Make sure GUARDS are in place and working properly

Seven Deadly Sins of Theatre Safety Insufficient knowledge

Improper use of tools and facilities

Faluire to safeguard hazardous equipment

Failure to remove faulty equipment

Carelessness

Taking unnecessary risks, including horseplay

Being in a hurry

Most dangerousThe most dangerous time of any production is

the strike (at the end of the production when the technical aspects are dismantled and stored)

Extra vigilance should be given to safety during strike

Fire SafetyElectric light bulbs must not be covered with

paper or other combustible materials including paint

Open flames should be avoided When using open flame you must have a person

with a fire extinguisher on stage holding the fire extinguisher

In the Event of FireFight the fire if it is safe to do so

Evacuate everyone immediately

Sound the alarm on the way OUT

Make sure all personnel know where the fire extinguishers are

Teach students how to use the fire extinguisher