Safety
Available online learning
Are you no longer allowed to use your stage without a railing “at all times”? Are you no longer able to build escape stairs and paint them black because they are a “hazard”? Have you been told the Fire Curtain must be lowered at all times when the theatre is not in use? Do you know better but just can’t produce the documentation to prove to your school officials you’re in compliance? Or, do you need to hone your OSHA & ANSI knowledge to keep you, your students, your staff, and your guests, safe?
Join USITT in a conversation with OSHA Authorized Trainers & ANSI experts who take you through the OSHA codes and ANSI standards that apply to you and your space and let you know where you can locate this information for future needs. Anyone who oversees or works in a venue should sit in on this webinar and you may just want to invite your colleagues, administration, or even janitorial staff if they are the only ones deemed “qualified” enough to do some of the work.
The specific topics in this conversation plus Q&A, you will not want to miss, will include: • ANSI Standards • Manually-Operated Counterweight system • Fire Curtains • Slipperiness of Stages • Inspections and use logs • Fall Protection • Written Plan • 4-foot falls must be protected • Fronts of stages exempted (Though they recommend safety nets) • Fixed Ladders • Portable Ladders • Catwalks and ladder entrances • Personnel Lifts • Manufacturer's recommend use/best practice • Electrical • General Electrical Safety • Egress • Clear Paths of egress • Communication • Posting • Training
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Presenters: Joe Aldridge is a retired Professor of Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he was the Director of the Entertainment Engineering and Design program. He is a member of IATSE Local # 720 and serves as the Chairman of the Nevada Resort Association/IATSE Local 720 Joint Training Trust as well as a Trustee for the IATSE Entertainment and Exhibition Industries Training Trust Fund. He is a former President of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), a member of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council and of the IATSE Crafts Advancement Program (ICAP). Joe is involved in developing a curriculum for safety and skills training programs for the IATSE and is an OSHA Outreach Trainer, offering OSHA 10 and 30 Hour classes for the IATSE.
Eddie Raymond recently retired from serving as the vice president and safety and training director of IATSE Local 16 in San Francisco. Eddie is the immediate past president of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), sits on the IATSE Crafts Advancement Program committee, is a member of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council, and is a subject matter expert for the ETCP Entertainment Rigging Exams. Eddie has acted as ACT’s scene shop foreman/technical supervisor and, among other activities, as construction coordinator at Industrial Light and Magic.
In Part 1 of the conversation, Joe Aldridge & Eddie Raymond, both OSHA Authorized Trainers & ANSI experts, took you through the OSHA codes and ANSI standards that apply to you and your space and let you know where you can locate this information for future needs.
During Part 2 of this webinar series, Joe and Eddie covered the following: • Fall Protection • Written Plan is required • Four-foot falls must be protected • Fronts of stages exempted (Through recommend safety nets) • Fixed Ladders • Portable Ladders • Catwalks and ladder entrances • Personal Fall Arrest Systems: -Rescue -Training/Practice • Respiratory Protection • Physicals • COVID-19 and the OSHA response
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Presenters: Joe Aldridge is a retired Professor of Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he was the Director of the Entertainment Engineering and Design program. He is a member of IATSE Local # 720 and serves as the Chairman of the Nevada Resort Association/IATSE Local 720 Joint Training Trust as well as a Trustee for the IATSE Entertainment and Exhibition Industries Training Trust Fund. He is a former President of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), a member of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council and of the IATSE Crafts Advancement Program (ICAP). Joe is involved in developing a curriculum for safety and skills training programs for the IATSE and is an OSHA Outreach Trainer, offering OSHA 10 and 30 Hour classes for the IATSE.
Eddie Raymond recently retired from serving as the vice president and safety and training director of IATSE Local 16 in San Francisco. Eddie is the immediate past president of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA), sits on the IATSE Crafts Advancement Program committee, is a member of the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council, and is a subject matter expert for the ETCP Entertainment Rigging Exams. Eddie has acted as ACT’s scene shop foreman/technical supervisor and, among other activities, as construction coordinator at Industrial Light and Magic.
Welding is a common practice in scenic construction, but what is required for welding of metals to be done safely in a typical production shop or onstage? Code requirements, hot work permits, and common sense must all be followed when planning and executing a welding operation as part of production operations. This session will start with the codes and expand their requirements to present best practices to be followed when welding. Training and welding certifications will be discussed with examples of practical means to obtain welding certifications applicable to the typical welding operations for scenery.
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Presenters:
David “Ross” Rauschkolb is Technical Director at Valencai College. Ross’ research centers on the use of technology for teaching, new material usage, uses of 3D technology, and interdisciplinary production design. He has recently presented for the Education and Health and Safety Commissions. He is a member of Actor’s Equity Association, Stage Manager’s Association, and the Association of Arts Administration Educators. Ross holds a MFA in Technical Direction from the University of Arizona and a BFA in Theatre Education from East Carolina University. He has worked professionally around the US, for companies such as Stage Light, Teatro Paraguas, DNA_Works, the Post Playhouse, Oklahoma CityRep, ECU Loessin Summer Theatre, Tricklock Theatre, Yjastros Flamenco Dance Company, the William Inge Center, Play Conservatory, RE Lee Auditorium, Oklahoma City University, Carolina Ballet, University of New Meixco, Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, Sonora Theatreworks, and Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park.
Tony Brizius: Finishing up his fourth season as the Technical Director for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Troy A. Brizius began his career after graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts with an MFA in Technical Direction. Technical Direction experience includes The Weston Playhouse (3 seasons), The John Houseman Acting Company (3 national tours), Goodspeed Musicals (2 seasons as ATD), and Surflight Theatre (2 seasons). Troy also served as an instructor in the Scenic Technology Department in the School of Design and Production at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts(UNCSA) for 5 years; teaching undergrad and graduate level classes, managing the scene shop, and serving as Production Manager for the UNCSA’s Summer Sessions in Manteo, NC. In addition to his duties of Technical Director at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Troy also chairs the Accident Investigation Committee and serves on the Safety Steering Committee. He is a Journeyman member of IATSE local 635.
A presentation for entry and intermediate level technicians that provides information on the proper use of fall protection safety harnesses, shock absorbing lanyards and self-retracting lifelines.
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Presenter: Bill Sapsis President of Sapsis Rigging, Inc., Bill began his career in 1972. His work on Broadway includes the original productions of A Chorus Line and The Runner Stumbles. Bill opened Sapsis Rigging in 1981 and has grown the company into a multi-faceted installation/production/service company with clients on 5 continents. Bill’s articles and lectures on rigging and safety can be found in numerous publications worldwide. He has authored two books; Heads and Tales and Entertainment Rigging for the 21st Century. Bill is a member of the ETCP Council and Co-Chair of the Rigging Subject Matter Experts. He also serves on ESTA's Technical Standards Council and is Co-Chair of the Rigging Working Group. Bill is a member of the Behind the Scenes Foundation Board of Directors, is a USITT Fellow and a member of ABTT. He is a founding member of the Long Reach Long Riders, an industry based charity motorcycle group. Bill is also the producer of the North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference.
Loads may not have changed but the way we evaluate them has. The entertainment industry has shifted away from relying on single, large factors of safety, instead applying appropriately smaller design factors to understood loads. In this session, the presenters will define terms such as characteristic, dynamic, and peak load, and they will demonstrate how these concepts are used in engineering calculations.
These principles form the basis for current entertainment machinery Standards. This session is part of the Engineering Commission's Mechanical Design Series with “Stage Machinery Brake Design and Selection" and “Emergency Stop Systems - How Safe is Safe Enough?”.
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Presenters:
Dan Lisowski is the Head of Theatre Technology/Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where he mentors students and teaches courses in automation control design, mechanical design, structural design, creative problem solving, and technical direction. Dan's research interests include Network-based Safety-Critical Control Systems and other topics in Functional Safety Design. Dan serves as the Vice-Commissioner for Programming for USITT's Engineering Commission, is a voting member of PLASA's TSP Rigging and Control Protocol Working Groups, and was a member of the ANSI E1.43 "Performer Flying Systems" task group charged with writing the standard for our industry. Additionally, he operates a freelance entertainment design engineering firm, For The Stage, LLC, which specializes in automation control systems. Before rejoining academia, he served as Head of Electrical Design at Fisher Technical Services Inc. in Las Vegas and has worked with ZFX Flying Effects, Hudson Scenic Studio, and Chicago Scenic Studios.
John Van Arsdale is a Technical Designer at PRG Scenic Technologies, providing technical solutions for Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring and regional theater. He received his MFA in Theatre & Drama, emphasis in Theatre Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While at UW, John concentrated his research on technical production and mechanical design. He presented his research on the effects of acceleration on the human body to the PLASA E1.43 Performer Flying Effects Task Group. John is a proud recipient of the USITT Young Designers & Technicians KM Fabrics Inc. Technical Production Award in 2015 and a strong supporter of USITT.
Joe Champelli, Director of Mechanical Design (Entertainment Project Services, LLC): Joe began his career in Las Vegas working on large-scale Entertainment Automation projects such as the Pirate Battle at Treasure Island, the Siegfried and Roy Show and Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘O’ at Bellagio. Prior to joining EPS, Joe spent 5 years as General Manager and Lead Mechanical Designer for ZFX, Inc. and 11 years as Lead Mechanical Designer/VP/COO for Fisher Technical Services, Inc. Favorite past projects include Tinkerbell at Disneyland and two separate projects for NASA/JPL. As Director of Mechanical Design for Entertainment Project Services, LLC, Joe is enjoying tackling new and unique challenges. EPS’s project list includes projects for major theme parks in the US, domestic and international hotel/casino projects, cruise ships and a variety of Entertainment Rigging and Automation companies. Joe holds an MFA in Technical Production from Penn State University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Design from Illinois State University. In his free time, Joe enjoys, playing board games and throwing hatchets with his wife of 20 years and their three children.
The program reviews the requirements for emergency lighting control covered under the National Electrical Code® (NEC®), the associated UL Product Standards, and application and misapplication of products, and the newest requirements in the NEC®.
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Presenter: Mitch Hefter has been working in entertainment and architectural lighting controls for 38 years. He is currently Senior Systems Engineer at Philips Lighting. As a past Engineering Commissioner for USITT, Mitch oversaw the development of USITT DMX512. He is a USITT Fellow, USITT Founders Award recipient, an Honorary Lifetime member of USITT, and has also served on the USITT Board of Directors. Mitch is a founding member of the ANSI-accredited ESTA Technical Standards Program. He serves on the Technical Standards Council and co-chairs the Electrical Power Working Group. He is an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and Recognized Electrical Trainer. Mitch has worked on updates to the National Electrical Code since 1981 and is a member of NEC Panel 15, representing the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) since 1997. Mitch is a member of the IES Control Protocols Committee which developed IES TM-23 in 2011 and is the scribe for the revision to TM-23 expected in 2017. Additionally, he is a member of the Control Protocols sub-committee of the IES Energy Management Committee, responsible for LEM-7. He is also an Associate member of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI).
Fire safety on stages is a big issue. On theatre stages, the presence of hot lights, props and electrical sparks near flammable textiles significantly increases the risk of fire. The flame retardant on them forms an important part of your facility's fire safety system. The presentation will explain existing codes, review different test methods, discuss flame retardant treatments for drapes, provide information on applying flame retardant treatments to draperies and how to care for them.
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Presenter: Brad Davies (@On-Site Drapery Cleaners). Mr. Davies has been in the fire protection business since 2008 when he purchased On-Site Drapery Cleaners. Founded in 1978, On-Site has grown to be the experts in same day curtain cleaning and flameproofing. Having tested and re-treated thousands of textiles, Mr. Davies has years of field experience, has been an NFPA member for years, has also published numerous articles on flame retardant testing and treatment, and has the privilege of being invited to discuss textiles and the fire code with many Safety Officials, Theater Professional Groups, and Fire Prevention Officers, most recently at the Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI).
As a result of COVID-19, there are lots of questions you will find yourself asking for the first time. "I work back of house close to other people, so if I get sick, can I sue?" "Can our ushers eject a patron who stands too close to other people in line?" "Does someone who looks sick have a right to come in?" We will address these and many more practical legal questions about how to reopen in a reasonably safe and healthy way.
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Presenter: Steven A. Adelman Sports and entertainment lawyer Steven A. Adelman is head of Adelman Law Group, PLLC in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Vice President of the Event Safety Alliance. His national law practice focuses on risk management, safety, and security at live events, and he serves as an expert witness in crowd-related lawsuits. With the Event Safety Alliance, he is one of the authors of the Event Safety Guide, he hosts the Event Safety Podcast and leads groups developing ANSI standards for Crowd Management and Event Security. He is on the faculty of Arizona State University’s Sports Law and Business Program, he writes the monthly "Adelman on Venues" newsletter on current issues in the live event industry, and he frequently appears in national and local media to provide analysis of sports and entertainment incidents. Steve Adelman graduated from Boston College Law School in 1994. He can be reached at sadelman@adelmanlawgroup.com.
This session discusses strategies for safely storing and maintaining your stage weaponry of various types and qualities at a variety of levels of production. Panelists will discuss procedures to help you work successfully with your colleagues, performers, administrators and local law enforcement successfully both in and out of the production requirements. Presented by the Education Commission.
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Presenters:
Matthew Allar is a scenographer based in Williamsburg, Virginia. An Associate Professor of Theatrical Design, he is the Director of Production and resident Scenic Designer for The College of William Mary and creator of the Around The Edges play reading series. With over 120 designs for theatre, opera, dance, television, and industrials, he is the Vice Commissioner for Education Commission Programming, and a member of the OISTAT Education Commission, in addition to United Scenic Artists #829. www.matthewallar.com
Jennifer McClure is the Properties Master for Yale Repertory Theatre. She has worked as Props Master and Technical Director for Alfred University, Props Master for Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and New York Stage and Film, toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, and designed sets and props for the Yale Cabaret and New Haven-based A Broken Umbrella Theatre Company. She also works as a freelance properties artisan for companies such as Hudson Scenic Studios, Walt Disney World, and musician Amanda Palmer and has built custom puppets for The Stringpullers and custom masks for the Pilobolus dance company. Mrs. McClure holds a B.F.A. from Alfred University (2004).
Robb Hunter - Owner and operator Preferred Arms, SAFD Certified Fight Director, and Teacher.
This Webinar is a follow up to the 2019 conference session and winter TD&T article, Is Now When We Panic?. This session will explore data-driven trends in art and design academic program structures and how they align with contemporary administrative expectations and funding models. What are we seeing now across the country, what can we expect and how might it inform, or even dictate, curriculum innovation in the next ten years.
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Presenters:
Patrick Hart Executive Director @NACFM
Brian Huneycutt Commissioner USITT Safety & Health
Nathan Parr Facility Specialist at Smart Church Solutions
In late August 2017, Hurricane Harvey dropped 50+ inches of rain in the Houston metro area. This led to exhaustive flooding all over the city, including inundating the Alley Theatre’s Neuhaus Stage and Props storage areas with more than 19 feet of water. This session will review the damage caused to the Alley Theatre properties inventory and the subsequent salvage and recovery operations. Karin Rabe Vance, Alley Theatre Prop Master, will take us through the efforts they undertook to salvage any recoverable props while also taking a full inventory of the unrecoverable items. She’ll include some best practices and tips for determining priority items, cleaning processes and products, and how to determine insurance values for treasured props both shop built and purchased. Presented by the Education Commission.
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Presenters:
Karin Rabe Vance's has been the Properties Master at Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas as since 2004 where she has managed the production of props for over 130 productions, including Three Musketeers, Sherlock and the Suicide Club, Harvey, November, Red, Toxic Avenger, Noises Off, Peter Pan, Cyrano de Bergerac, 39 Steps, Arsenic and Old Lace, Lieutenant of Inishmore, Treasure Island, Subject to Fits, and The Pillowman. While at the Alley she also managed the recovery of properties following the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. Prior to working at the Alley, she served as the Properties Master for Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo New York, Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell Massachusetts, and as the Properties Shop Assistant at the Santa Fe Opera. She is an active member of both S*P*A*M (The Society of Properties Artisan Managers), USITT (United States Institute of Theatre Technology), and TX-CERA (Texas Collections Emergency Response Alliance). She has a BFA in Theatre Design and Tech.
ANSI E1.19 This video is a brief synopsis of ANSI E1.19, a standard to offer guidance, in accordance with existing applicable standards and codes, on how to select, install, use and maintain ground fault protection devices in the entertainment industry. In general GFCI protection is not required on stages and in studios, but there are many cases when it should be used to protect people from shock. This standard gives advice on how use GFCI devices effectively, and to avoid nuisance-tripping. Viewers of the video can find out where to download the standard for free, courtesy of ProSight Specialty Insurance.
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Presenter: Karl Ruling, Technical Standards Manager for ESTA and also the Technical Editor for ESTA's Journal, Protocol. He helps administer the ANSI-accredited Technical Standards Program and writes about standards, legislation, technology, and trade shows. He also serves on the NFPA Special Effects and Assembly Occupancies committees, and on several UL technical panels. As time allows, he designs theatre lighting, scenery, and special effects. Ruling holds an MFA from the University of Illinois and a BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He's a member of DTHG, the NFPA, and USITT.
ANSI E1.14 This video is a brief synopsis of E1.14, which applies to the instruction manuals for fog-making equipment manufactured for use in the entertainment industry. In order to use fog safely and effectively, the user must have some general knowledge of the technology, have a clear understanding of how to operate the fog making system, and be aware of the potential hazards related to the use of fog, and particularly the system being used. This standard is designed to establish guidelines for manufacturers to provide to the user the necessary information required for the safe and responsible use of fog equipment. Viewers of the video can find out where to download the standard for free, courtesy of ProSight Specialty Insurance.
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Presenter: Erin Grabe, Assistant Technical Standards Manager, holds a Bachelor of Technology in Entertainment Technology from the New York City College of Technology. Since February 2013, she has been the Assistant Technical Standards Manager for ESTA's Technical Standards Program, the only ANSI-Accredited standards developer for the entertainment technology industry. She also serves as a technical resource to ESTA's members. As of October 2014, Erin has also been the administrator for ESTA's association management database.
This presentation covers various ways to sanitize microphones.
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Presenter: Joe Cota: With a background as a worship pastor and vocalist, Joe can offer a few words of wisdom on the topic of sound. Check-in with Joe if you need some feedback on fighting feedback! He may even sing you his version of "Can't stop the feelin'" if you're happy with the results: "I got that sunshine in my pocket; Got that good soul in my feet."