tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.comments2024-01-18T19:49:19.692-06:00Theatre Safety BlogErich Friendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-34344485181889612212015-08-17T18:07:26.550-05:002015-08-17T18:07:26.550-05:00It is my understanding that The Mesa Arts Center w...It is my understanding that The Mesa Arts Center worked directly with the manufacturer to determine the applicability of their product to this use. Contact the manufacturer and see if they will connect you with an authorized reseller that will accommodate your needs or write you a letter that you can present to your local reseller.Erich Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-15633004406077205192015-08-06T10:07:05.209-05:002015-08-06T10:07:05.209-05:00I think this is a great idea, but I am having trou...I think this is a great idea, but I am having trouble buying the above product because it is intended for fall arrest applications and suppliers are not willing to sell the a rope grab for this application. I have also been looking for a manufactured Uncle Buddy, but have not turned up anything on that front either. Any ideas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-16950288420297730902015-08-04T22:17:00.923-05:002015-08-04T22:17:00.923-05:00I just wrote a blog about the circus tent collapse...I just wrote a blog about the circus tent collapse today and after reading your post, I looked up the Wood Dale information and updated the entry just now: http://controlgeek.net/blog/2015/8/4/deadly-walker-brothers-circus-tent-collapse-at-the-lancaster-fair-new-hampshire Thanks, JohnJohn Huntingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03437749952858582679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-62793787254061316182015-04-29T12:59:25.971-05:002015-04-29T12:59:25.971-05:00Wow! And now we have a terrible orchestra pit col...Wow! And now we have a terrible orchestra pit collapse at an Indiana high school just a couple of days ago. Goes to show that you can't just assume that because you haven't had any issues on the last show, there won't be any on a future show. Double check everything, every time.choustonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04198221287645944202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-10326627944033793772014-09-11T16:11:55.976-05:002014-09-11T16:11:55.976-05:00The Kravis Center did not have to pay dearly, real...The Kravis Center did not have to pay dearly, really nothing more than the $3500.00 OSHA fine. The family has been trying to endow a scholarship fund in his name, and nearly 5 years later still has not been able to. Campaigns have been set up however,<br />http://thefentonfoundation.wix.com/info<br />and<br />http://www.gofundme.com/RememberFenton<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-29796593933753901052014-06-12T12:52:40.535-05:002014-06-12T12:52:40.535-05:00I know this theater, and the follow up post is mis...I know this theater, and the follow up post is misleading. The green room/trap room is not make-shift, it is the part of the building under the stage, and part of the original design and build, with permits. The "orchestra pit" is in front of the stage, does not connect to the trap room, and would make zero sense to use as a green room. The "flimsy" boards that Yates is referring to is the actual stage floor structure, which did not collapse, and not the home made stage extension, which did collapse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-21367936321597680042014-02-15T12:55:17.758-06:002014-02-15T12:55:17.758-06:00Thank you Erich for your follow up. I guess the r...Thank you Erich for your follow up. I guess the reason why I didn't think of this solution is because when I envision tie down ratchet straps for a stage roof, I think of the 2', 10,000 lb straps used on tractor trailers and didn't even think they made straps of that strength with snap hooks. The straps you posted look as though they might be comparable to the ones used in the roof pics you have posted. Most of the ratchet straps with the snap hooks I found tend to be rated lower at 6,000 lb breaking strength. However after a little more extensive searching there are indeed some 10,000 lb straps with snap hooks out there... just harder to find. Assuming the eye of the steel will fit in the snap hooks of the ones I have found, this would indeed be a great solution. Thank you for your input!Donnie808https://www.blogger.com/profile/05122558561610977569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-3122432385692756932014-02-15T00:30:41.968-06:002014-02-15T00:30:41.968-06:00Hello Erich. I happened to stumble on your articl...Hello Erich. I happened to stumble on your article "have we learned nothing" and had a question for you. I must admit the system of using a ratchet strap to tighten down the anchors of temporary roofing is the most common I have seen through out my career. That being said... I think you have a valid point on the possibility of it coming unhooked should the structure sway for any reason. What would be your suggestion for an alternative method of securing the guy wires? A shackle in the loop of the strap in place of the hook?Donnie808https://www.blogger.com/profile/05122558561610977569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-31721293565772319582013-07-31T11:13:27.627-05:002013-07-31T11:13:27.627-05:00Bill Reynolds, the Director of Theater Safety and ...Bill Reynolds, the Director of Theater Safety and Occupational Health at Yale School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre, commented that "Stages over 48 inches tall [in many jurisdictions] should have fall protection railings. There appears to be a piece of railing in the left edge of one photo. The entire backstage perimeter should have railings in place before work is done on the elevated stage deck. The downstage/audience side edge of the deck could [should] have temporary railings during load-in that are removed for performances.<br /><br />It's good that performers and road crews are checking and asking these questions. And demanding better and safer venue setups."<br /><br />Another good reason to have railings is to keep those road cases full of expensive fragile equipment from rolling off of the stage. At just a few hours before showtime, it is good to have equipment that is functional and not in need of a trip to the repair shop! Not to mention the royal PIA it is to hoist a fallen road case back up onto the stage - especially if it is filled with electrical cable - those are really heavy!Erich Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-81650325281232668632013-07-05T19:03:10.817-05:002013-07-05T19:03:10.817-05:00I saw a lot of orange extension cords overhead and...I saw a lot of orange extension cords overhead and some potential ADA violations. That's my main beef with clubs. They install the cheapest things, and not even correctly. Theatres are not exempt from this either, but I see it a lot more in clubs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-65990265505298114882013-07-01T13:52:53.779-05:002013-07-01T13:52:53.779-05:00Great Fork Lift Safety Resources at:
http://www.du...Great Fork Lift Safety Resources at:<br />http://www.duralabel.com/duranews/2013/jul/when-forklifts-attack-forklift-disaster-videosErich Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-63945486936894970802013-06-11T20:29:45.249-05:002013-06-11T20:29:45.249-05:00it should also be noted that rated climbing carabi...it should also be noted that rated climbing carabiners have a number for what load they can take across the gate. the most common ones will take 7kn. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-2644062305664926612013-05-01T11:04:52.210-05:002013-05-01T11:04:52.210-05:00Backstage Jobs' site 'Cue-to-Cue' post...Backstage Jobs' site 'Cue-to-Cue' posted an interesting summary of stagehand accidents in February. Way too many of them are fall-related. See: http://cuetocue.backstagejobs.com/?p=911Erich Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-75247837360318620202013-04-22T05:53:09.393-05:002013-04-22T05:53:09.393-05:00I really appreciate you for sharing this wonderful...I really appreciate you for sharing this wonderful post. The <a href="http://www.safetytag.com" rel="nofollow"><b>safety tags</b></a> are really useful at workplace. These tags make the workers aware about safety precautions which are very necessary to follow while doing several tasks. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09072684686233126723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-36250815836568625672013-04-18T08:54:38.836-05:002013-04-18T08:54:38.836-05:00Great point Erich. I've spread the word on my...Great point Erich. I've spread the word on my social networks. Thanks!Chris Pollockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043887772570800284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-5005946972362692872013-04-13T09:47:59.182-05:002013-04-13T09:47:59.182-05:00You also need to wear a full body harness to attac...You also need to wear a full body harness to attach the twin lanyards to so you will not suffer spinal or internal injury damage during a fall, the old single waist belt may prevent you from falling to the ground, but it could add to ones injuries and even cause a spinal break with tragic results. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12899318160169186468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-80194414626514336492012-12-10T13:09:19.553-06:002012-12-10T13:09:19.553-06:00Good point about the rotational loading of the car...Good point about the rotational loading of the carabiner. The addition of a second carabiner or a shackle would relax the system and nominally eliminate the twist. Note that more rhobust carabiners are also available (www.omegapac.com/itemdetail.php?id=93&secid=38), should you want to accommodate a larger margin of error.<br /><br />It should be noted that a SpanSet SteelTex Roundsling used in a Basket Hitch configuration (as shown around the Locking Rail) is rated for 10,600 pounds static load.Erich Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-40280127316775562122012-12-10T03:10:03.735-06:002012-12-10T03:10:03.735-06:00Neat use of "climbing" equipment my only...Neat use of "climbing" equipment my only concern is the possible cross-loading (twist) on the carabina if the system comes under load - there is a high possibility of the carabina failing across its gate as the rating on these devices is linear (along the long axis) and not a rotational load as pictured (sling and lock are at 90degrees to each other.<br />I have seen carabina's fail due to this cross-loading at as little as 80Kg of load when they are rated at 25Kn (check video whilst i accept the video is about climbing gear the same rules apply here also the applied load was directly across the gate) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fz0c1rC_88Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-1392624982658722872012-12-09T20:39:38.911-06:002012-12-09T20:39:38.911-06:00Why are you using climbing gear for theatrical rig...Why are you using climbing gear for theatrical rigging? (i.e. the carabiner)<br /><br />Why would you allow your deckhands to unload linesets before the arbors are unloaded? Time constraint or not this is very basic safe practice. You should really know better. <br /><br />Your roundsling is crushing the label.<br /><br />To address many of your points for using this system....avoiding the need for this system by safe industry standard practice is the best way to keep your rail safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-1284764361295130392012-11-30T16:41:55.317-06:002012-11-30T16:41:55.317-06:00The manufacturer's data sheets for each of the...The manufacturer's data sheets for each of the components described, in addition to the rope hauling line, all show the devices to meet or exceed most reasonable out-of balance situations that might typically occur. In consideration that the rope lock and/or the rope lock mounting bolts are typically the weakest components in the system, this back-up safety arrangement appears to be a reasonable application of the available technology. The Rope Grab manufacturer was consulted and appeared to understand the application. Keep in mind that the rope grab (or a Choker / Prusik Hitch) is used in a pre-tensioned arrangement and is not intended to remain slack and then catch the line set moving at any substantial speed like might be encountered after a line set has already run-away for a few seconds. Keeping the system from moving is the goal, not catching it after it has gotten away from you.<br /><br />Higher strength Rope Locks are available in the market place. An overview of them can be found at: http://theatreface.ning.com/profiles/blogs/rigging-runawaysErich Friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760903086007509856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-63513465690321096202012-11-29T13:27:00.174-06:002012-11-29T13:27:00.174-06:00I think is a really original setup. I would only ...I think is a really original setup. I would only be concerned about two things. When the rope grab is loaded is it applying the gripping force over a smaller area than say regular choker that is tied with a number of wraps around the rope. Also does the manufacturer of the rope grabs know you are using them in this fashion and is there a load rating on them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-42597516330182543172012-11-28T21:30:06.671-06:002012-11-28T21:30:06.671-06:00Very interesting article on lighting especially th...Very interesting article on lighting especially the information about fiber optics and the intensity of the laser light. Thanks for the warning and I'll pass it on.Gary Bryanthttp://www.wannabeesafensecure.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-14715075296713840232012-11-27T00:32:33.790-06:002012-11-27T00:32:33.790-06:00Thanks for dropping by and checking out our venue....Thanks for dropping by and checking out our venue. We have an amazing team of 7 technical directors running the 4 venues here. I do want to give credit to our supervisor, Michael Tipton, for allowing us to try out new and inventive ideas to make our operations safer. If anyone has any questions regarding this setup, feel free to email me at Robby.Elliott@MesaArtsCenter.com <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08010095008469670174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-17614239138309126132012-10-29T14:50:38.523-05:002012-10-29T14:50:38.523-05:00Also note that the chain should not terminate to i...Also note that the chain should not terminate to itself but to the eye in the cable. Both photos show improperly terminated trim chains which effectively reduce the working load by one-half.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4916508821795914505.post-17564350459121714792012-09-24T05:40:35.886-05:002012-09-24T05:40:35.886-05:00I like this, it's a very detailed strategy; so...I like this, it's a very detailed strategy; something very much needed in some of our biggest events. Thanks for posting. Egress tends to be the time where accidents are most likely to happen.Experts in Crowd Dynamicshttp://www.movementstrategies.comnoreply@blogger.com