Blow me. No, OSHA says don't blow me.

LOTO, or Lock-Out-Tag-Out, is a system where you secure equipment so that it cannot release energy that might harm someone.  Many people think that it's just for electrical devices, but that is only one application for LOTO.  Pneumatic, steam, spring, hydraulic and even gravitational movement are equally important.  Second to electricity, pneumatic, or air pressure, is probably one of the most common forms of energy to be managed by an LOTO program.  Compressed air systems are frequently used for dusting-off items in the shop, operating staplers, nailers, rotary tools like grinders and impact drivers (wrenches), pressurizing air painting equipment, and operating platform lifts and air casters.

When you need to service the equipment or delivery lines it is important that all of the pressure is bled from the system so that tools can't misfire, clamps or brakes can't change state, and hoses don't accidentally spray a blast of air into your face / eyes or discharge in close proximity to your skin.

To achieve this, there is a special safety valve called a Pneumatic Isolation Valve, or PIV.  It isolates the supply air stream from the delivery system, and it allows all back-pressure in the delivery system to be relieved safely - and it has a means to lock the valve so it can't be tampered with.

Bimba Manufacturing (www.bimba.com) has a great video that explains how one of these work:

Be well hung

The PLASA International Rigging Conference, first held in 2010, has announced it's schedule for the Fall 2011 event in London, England.  Last year's event was the first of its kind, and provided a unique specialist forum that will brought together rigging companies, riggers, venue operators, tour and event production managers from around the globe. They focused specifically on rigging and working at height for temporary installations.
As the entertainment technology industry is going through a process of standardisation, there is a need for the international community to come together and discuss key issues, share knowledge and dispel myths. The expertise on offer at this conference will allow you to do that, with presentations from top industry individuals from the global rigging community.

With a balanced programme of presentations, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations, the 2-day conference is designed to give you clarity on a wide range of current issues and will allow you the opportunity to air your questions and concerns with industry experts and your peers from around the globe.

A new event this year will be a one-day Rigger's Forum on September 11, just before the main conference.  This has been arranged to allow many that cannot attent the main conference to benefit from the great gathering of experts.
Registration and Conferencde Information can be found at:
http://www.plasariggingconference.com/

The PLASA Show will cun concurrently with the Rigging Conference from September 12 through 14, 2011 

OSHA Initiates Summer Safety Program for Heat Related Illnesses

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced that OSHA is launching this national outreach initiative to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat, as well as steps they can take to prevent heat-related illnesses.

“If you’re working outdoors, you’re at risk for heat-related illnesses that can cause serious medical problems and even death,” said Solis. “But heat illness can be prevented. This Labor Department campaign will reach across the country with a very simple message – water, rest and shade."

Information about identifying the warning signs of Heat Stroke, Dehydration, and Heat Stress can be found at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html

With the summer concert and festival season upon us, don't forget to take precautions against Snakes, Bugs, Plants, Heat, and Weather.

Arbor Day is Time to Check Your Arbors

Your Counterweight Arbors are stressed-out.  Make them feel better by giving them a thorough check-up.  Doctor's Orders.

Things to check:

Top Plate Connections:

• Make sure that all the screws, nuts, and bolts, are tight.
• Check the Hauling Line rope to see that is secure and not worn.
• Check the Lift Line Terminations to see that they are all secure.

Not Good Example . . .

 Check to see that Spreader Plates are accessible and Weight Locking Rings are in-use.

Not buried like this . . .

Check to see that the rods nuts are tight:

Tight nuts are good to keep your rod in place.

And check to see of the lower rope connection is properly tied-off:

Note the thimble to keep the rope from abrading on the lower arbor eye.

Keep a good eye on your arbors and watch for loose parts!  If something gives-way it could be deadly!

Every Day is Arbor Day in the Theatre

UK Training Opportunities for Health & Safety in the Theatre

RB Health & Safety Solutions, a UK based service company is now offering two courses focused especially on the unique needs of the theatre worker.

The first course is an all day session that addresses First Aid in the theatre environment.  It will cover topics from the regulatory and medical aspects so you will know what you can do, what you must do, and what you shouldn't do.  From burns and ban-aids, to resuscitation, shock, and transport of the injured, they will get you certified for 3 years.

More info at: www.rbhealthandsafety.co.uk/firstaidfortheatres.html

Their other training is only 3 hours, and it covers AEDs (Automatic Defibrillator Devices) so you can zap heart attack victims the right way and get their ticker beating again.
More info at: www.rbhealthandsafety.co.uk/aedfortheatres.html

Both of these courses can be invaluable for those working Front of House or Back of House.  Injuries and Heart Attacks can happen to Staff, Performers, and Guests at any time, so be prepared to come to their aid.  As a part of the theatre you need to be able to help those that have been injured.  Everything form a twisted-ankle to an electric shock can happen, not to mention serious falls, and injuries of all sort from tools.

For those of you that aren't in the UK, look-up your local Red Cross or Health and Safety training providers to get similar courses.

www.RedCross.org                www.AmericanHeart.org

Grip Like a Gorilla

The ergonomics of loading counterweights place your hands at risk of being crushed and  banged about pretty badly.  You need to both protect your hands from outside abuse and to keep a good grip on those steel bricks lest you let one slip away and kill someone below.

Showa-Best Glove Company has a good solution to that problem.  Their S-Tex 300 and S-Tex 350 work gloves have rubber or nitrile palms for good grip, and they come in a safety neon yellow your buddy on the Loading Gallery doesn't forget where your hands are and plop a 20 pound brick down on one or both of them.

Showa-Best Glove S-Tex 300

Besides being bright and grippy, these gloves have a very high puncture resistance rating, tear resistance rating, and blade cut rating, so they can be very handy (forgive the pun) around the shop when handling glass, sheet metal, and replacing saw blades (NOTE:  never wear gloves when actually using a power saw or power drill - one snag and it'll pull your hand right into the blade or bit).  The open mesh back keeps your hands cool, too.

More info at:http://www.showabestglove.com/site/products/detail.aspx?style=S-TEX300 and http://www.showabestglove.com/site/products/detail.aspx?style=S-TEX350

Get a Grip

Indiana OSHA Cites Notre Dame $77,500 following Death of Student Employee

Mar 21, 2011 4:03 PM, By Laura Walter, EHS Today Magazine

On March 15, the Indiana Department of Labor cited the University of Notre Dame with the most serious safety violation allowable under Indiana law for the fatal injury of 20-year-old student employee Declan Sullivan.

Sullivan was killed while he was videotaping a Notre Dame football practice from a scissor lift that was toppled in high winds on Oct. 27, 2010.  (See: http://theatresafetyblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/aspiring-film-student-dies-when-lift.html)

“We’ve issued a knowing citation, which indicates the most serious safety violation,” said Department of Labor Commissioner Lori Torres. “The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrated that the university made a decision to utilize its scissor lifts in known adverse weather conditions.”

The agency also cited Notre Dame with five other serious safety violations, including failure to properly train the student employees in how to operate a scissor lift. In all, fines amounting to $77,500 were levied against the university.

Torres said the agency will launch a statewide education and outreach initiative directed toward universities, colleges and high schools.

“Scissor and other lifts are used by many athletic and band programs nationwide to videotape practices and broadcast events. We want to ensure that they are only being used by trained operators in safe conditions,” she said.

The Indiana Department of Labor issued a letter to a number of associations around the state to urge high schools, colleges and universities to review their use of scissor lifts in athletic and band events.
The university has 15 business days, by Indiana law, to pay the fines and correct the violations cited in the investigation report or to contest them to the Indiana Board of Safety Review.

Notre Dame Responds

In a statement, Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., acknowledged Indiana OSHA’s “thorough and professional manner” in conducting the investigation.

“We have worked collaboratively with them over the past 4 months and have had a chance today to take a preliminary look at their findings,” Jenkins said March 15. “We will study the details very carefully and take the actions necessary to protect the ongoing safety of our students and staff. We also are very interested in the IOSHA educational effort and have every intention of being a part of that to share what we learn.

“None of these findings can do anything to replace the loss of a young man with boundless energy and creativity,” Jenkins added. “As I said last fall, we failed to keep him safe, and for that we remain profoundly sorry.”

John Affleck-Graves, executive vice president and leader of the Notre Dame investigation of the accident, said Indiana OSHA’s findings would be helpful as the university conducts its own investigation. He stressed that the university will make its own report of the investigation public once it is completed in the coming weeks.