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:
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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?
STRIKING A SHOW
[Striking means taking a show apart
once it has ended.]
Why is it dangerous?
• People are excited that the show is over.
• People are exhausted from putting the show up.
• People are in a hurry.
The Seven General
Safety Regulations
1.) NO DANGEROUS ACTIVITY
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No practical jokes
No running
No jumping
No throwing tools or materials
No “horseplay”
2.) Lift objects properly:
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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
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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
FIRE
Fire 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 evacuation
2. Know how to operate fire extinguisher
3. 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.
LADDERS
(continued)
• 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)
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.
Teaser
Border
Leg
Tormentor
Grand Drape
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
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How to prevent fires
How to use a fire extinguisher
Parts of a fire extinguisher
How to maintain
SAFETY CABINET
• 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.
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.