LHS Theater TECHSafety Rules and Regulations
This policy provided LHS theater students with appropriate safety procedures but also to assist trained workshop personnel with the provision of a reference document outlining the general principles of safe working practices relevant to the aspects of the theatrical scene shop environment. It relates to specific areas where definite safety measures are required for workshop operations.
This policy is written as an addition to and not as a substitute for general safety principles applicable to all types of workplace fire precautions, correct use of personal protective equipment, hygiene standards, toxic processes, workplace noise and correct manual handling techniques.
The following rules apply to all LHS Theater students, whether they are enrolled in a Technical Theater class or are members of a running crew. Please consider that the PAC can be the most dangerous place on campus if you are not aware of the dangers and safety precautions.
Keep the workshop clean and tidy at all times.
Make sure work areas are clear and safe for work to be done.
Make sure all work surfaces are clear of scraps and obstructions.
Always seek instruction before using an unfamiliar piece of equipment.
Only use tools and machines for their intended purpose.
Report all damaged equipment and do not use it until it has been repaired by a qualified person.
Do not remove, alter or disable any guard or safety device on any power tool.
Never distract the attention of another staff member when that person is operating equipment and never indulge in horseplay.
Always use appropriate personal protective devices and check that they are clean and in good repair.
Report all hazards and unsafe conditions and work practices to the Technical Theater Teacher.
You may not use a piece of equipment until you have been checked out on that piece of equipment.
Wear safety shoes, eye and ear protection and appropriate clothing for the work.
Make sure depth and thickness levels are properly set on all cutting blades.
See that blades and knives are sharp and working properly.
Never operate equipment until guards are in place and operating properly.
Be aware of others around so that nothing is thrown from a saw, which may cause injury.
Make sure on and off switches are in proper working condition.
Keep hands and clothing away from cutting surface.
Never adjust settings on machinery until switch is off and blades have ceased to rotate.
Safety glasses are required near power equipment designed to cut, shape or drill materials. .
Use safe lifting practices.
Do not wear rings, ties or loose fitting clothing when operating machinery.
Do not use any equipment or perform any operation until fully trained and certified by the supervisor.
Never work alone in the scene shop.
Never work in the scene shop without direct adult supervision
Students are never allowed up on the AP without permission. Entry to the AP without permission subjects you to administrative suspension from school.
FIRST AID
There are several First Aid Kits --
one is in the tool room,
one in the booth and
Follow basic First Aid procedures.
Notify the Technical Theater Instructor or an adult in the event of any injury.
Air quality, hazards and safe working practices:
Air quality in the shop and stage area can vary depending on several conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to; dust from power tools, mists from water based latex and acrylic paints, smoke from welding operations, chemical and co2 based fogs from fog machines.
When wood dust is present in the air from operating machinery, wear a particle mask and goggles. They are availab/workle in the shop office.
Latex and acrylic paints are water based paint and are non toxic. When these paints are sprayed a fine mist can occur. Wear a particle mask and goggles when you are spraying or are in an area where spraying is taking place.
Chemical based theatrical fogs are not harmful in normal concentrations. However if you are prone to asthmatic attacks avoid Theatrical fogs and smoke.
Co2 fog can be dangerous if breathed. It doesn't contain enough oxygen to support breathing. Co2 fog lies on the ground and seeks low areas. Do not lie down in the fog. Avoid breathing the fog.
Audio/visual equipment, hazards and safe working practices
With the use of audio/visual equipment in the theatre there comes the risk of electrical shock, burns and physical injury from coming in contact with hot metal, glass, electrical connectors and cables, both hanging and on the floor. Do not use or handle any audio/visual equipment without proper training and authorization.
The rigging of audio/visual equipment is to be done only under staff supervision.
All electrical, floor, hand tool, ladder, lift, lighting, low light level, noise level, obstruction, orchestra pit, overhead work area and rigging rules apply while you are working with audio/visual equipment.
All audio/visual cables in working and walking areas are to be properly dressed and taped down.
Replace unused equipment, cable and accessories to proper storage areas when work is finished.
Clean up electrical equipment and accessories from stage and sound room.
Store equipment in appropriate cabinets and rooms designated for audio/visual equipment.
Report any damaged equipment to your teacher, tag, and place in the upstairs sound room.
Report any hazards to your teacher.
Safety cables are required on all hanging audio/visual equipment.
Chemicals, hazards and safe working practices
Many solvents, adhesive, enamel spray paints, and Styrofoam are used in the scene shop and stage areas. Many of these chemicals produce Toxic fumes and gasses and are extremely flammable. Know what you are working with. Wear proper protective clothing and equipment for the job.
Prevent ingestion of chemicals. Wash your hands, do not eat, drink or smoke around chemicals.
Keep your work place clean..
Solvents such as paint thinner, lacquer thinner, alcohol, and acetone must be used with adequate ventilation.
See the Technical Theater teacher for disposal of empty spray cans, paint cans, and solvent containers.
A particle mask is required when spraying latex and acrylic paints.
Protective gloves must be worn when handling chemicals.
Eye protection must be worn when handling chemicals.
No open flame is not permitted when working with chemicals.
In case of a chemical spill, notify the shop teacher.
Waste chemicals must be disposed of properly. See the Technical Theater Teacher.
Electricity, hazards and safe working practices:
Electricity is present everywhere in the shop and stage areas. The risk of electrical shock is present at all times due to the constant changes in work areas, lighting positions, and heavy use of electrical equipment and accessories.
Electrical rigging is only to be performed by trained lighting crew members and under staff supervision.
Only properly grounded tools, cords, and equipment are used in the LHS PAC.
Never run extension cords through doorways, windows, or holes in walls.
Check all equipment and cords for damage before use.
Remove damaged equipment from use and notify your teacher.
Be alert for extension cords on the floor and in work areas.
Do not overload extension cords. Use one power tool per cord.
Be aware of overhead and floor mounted lighting fixtures and power cables in stage areas.
All shop, stage, ladder, lift and rigging rules apply to electrical safety.
Gloves should be worn when focusing lighting equipment or changing lamps.
Safety lines should be attached to wrenches and tools when working overhead.
Rings, jewelry, watches etc. Should not be worn when working with lighting equipment.
Theatre circuits are rated at 20 amps. Do not overload.
Only 12-3 wire and cable may be used in lighting installations.
Use the shortest extension cable possible.
Snoots and barn doors must be attached to the lighting equipment's safety cable.
Completely dry your hands before touching electrical switches, plugs or receptacles.
Notify your teacher of any hazardous electrical condition.
Floors, hazards and safe working practices
Floors in the shop and stage are often covered with many hazards and obstructions due to flexible work areas in the building. Some of the floor hazards associated with the floor include but are not limited to; open traps in stage floor, wet floors due to painting and spills, obstructions including tools, power cords, air hoses, materials, and scenery.
Stay alert to changes in work conditions.
Clean up spills as they occur.
Clean up tools, materials, and obstructions when finished with a project or when leaving it for an extended period of time.
Put away cords and hoses when the job is completed.
Do not block aisles, hallways, fire exits, doorways, fire doors, fire equipment or electrical panels.
Notify shop teacher of any unsafe condition promptly.
Hand tools, hazards and safe working practices
Hand tools are often overlooked as safety hazards. Be careful.
Many tools have sharp edges, blades, springs etc. That may cause severe injuries.
Use the proper tool for the job
Maintain tools in good condition. Report damaged tools to your teacher.
Store and carry tools properly. Put them away when your done.
When using or carrying a sharp edged tool, point the sharp edge away from you. Do not carry sharp edged tools in your pockets.
Wear proper safety equipment.
Ladders, hazards and safe working practices
The use of ladders in the shop and stage areas is a common occurrence. Falls from ladders can cause severe injury to one's self and others just as falling objects from a ladder can cause injury as well. Safe ladder practices are essential at all times.
Students are not required to climb ladders.
Check ladders for broken or damaged parts before use. Never use a damaged ladder. Report any damaged ladder to your teacher and remove it from service.
Only one person on a ladder at a time.
Do not place a ladder in front of a door that opens onto the ladder unless the door is blocked open, locked from access or guarded.
Always face the ladder when ascending or descending.
Do not stand or work on the top two steps of a ladder.
Never leave anything on top of a ladder or on the steps of a ladder unattended.
Do not lean or overreach from a ladder.
Do not straddle the space between a ladder and another object.
Make sure the ladder is fully open and the spreader is locked.
Never reposition a ladder while you are on it.
Store ladders in their proper location after use.
Do not use a ladder on an uneven surface.
Do not use a ladder without someone else present in the area.
Lifting hazards and safe working practices
Many injuries to the back come from improper lifting, pushing, or pulling of heavy objects. When lifting objects, do not lift with your back. Squat down and use your leg muscles and keep your back straight.
If the object appears to be too heavy or awkward, ask for help.
Never slide objects on shelving above your head unless you can see the surface of the shelf.
When moving objects from one area to another, use a cart, basket or hand truck. Do not carry heavy objects any great distance in your arms.
When pushing or pulling objects like rolling scenery units, always exert pressure gently. If the unit seems to heavy for you to move by yourself, ask for assistance.
Lifts, hazards and safe working practices
The lift can be dangerous without proper training on its use. Extreme caution should be used before operating this system as damage to property as well as self and others can occur.
Students are never allowed to operate the lift.
Lighting equipment, hazards and safe working practices
With the use of stage lighting equipment in the theatre there comes the risk of electrical shock and burns from coming into contact with hot metal and glass. Do not use or handle any lighting equipment without proper training and authorization.
The rigging of lighting equipment is to be done only under staff supervision.
Wear gloves when handling hot lighting equipment and changing lamps.
All electrical, ladder, lift and rigging rules apply while you are working with lighting equipment.
Replace unused gel, cable, lights and accessories to proper storage areas when work is finished.
Clean up electrical equipment and accessories from stage, A.P., and the light booth.
Store equipment on proper carts and pipes on the electrics and on the catwalk.
Report any damaged equipment to your teacher, tag it.
Unplug lighting instruments before changing lamps.
Safety cables are required on all stage lighting equipment and accessories.
Use proper safety equipment.
Low light levels, hazards and safe working practices
Low light levels are present when lighting equipment is being focused, during rehearsals, as well as performances. Extreme caution should be used in these conditions, as vision is greatly impaired. Blackouts may occur at any time.
Use caution in low light level situations.
Sound off when stage lights are going to black.
Use a flashlight when necessary.
Stop all hazardous activity during low light levels.
If a blackout occurs and you can not see anything, stop where you are.
Provide running lights for major pathways whenever possible.
Noise levels, hazards and safe working practices
Loud noise levels are present both in the shop and on stage. These noises come from machine tools as well as the theatre sound system. Prolonged exposure to loud and continuous levels of noise can severely damage or impair one's hearing.
Wear ear protection when operating or in the vicinity of loud machinery and tools.
Wear ear protection when exposed to loud and prolonged sound from theatre audio systems.
Hearing Protectors are purchased with your materials fee, or you are to provide them yourself.
Students are required to wear hearing protectors any time they are present with loud noise levels.
Obstructions, hazards and safe working practices
Many obstructions are present in the shop and theatre work areas. These hazards include but are not limited to overhead wires, cables and scenery, flexible work areas, temporary storage of scenery, materials and settings and various floor obstructions as stated above. Extreme caution should be used in all work areas.
Be aware of changes in working areas.
Use caution when moving objects in, around and out of the stage and scene shop. Clean up and properly store all tools, materials and scenery when you are finished with a project.
Alert others of obstructions.
Do not block aisles, hallways, fire exits, doorways, fire doors, fire equipment or electrical panels.
Notify the Technical Theater teacher of any unsafe conditions promptly.
Orchestra pit, hazards and safe working practices
The Pit cover is to remain in place at all times, unless the pit is being used for specific and immediate musical or construction purposes.
· Overhead work areas, hazards and safe working practices:
There are many overhead work areas in the shop and various department theaters. These areas include ladders, lifts, platforms, grids, and catwalks. There is always a chance that something or someone may fall from an overhead work area.
Be cautious when working overhead as well as below.
Sound off that you are working overhead and whenever you drop something.
Secure all tools and equipment when working overhead.
Stay inside catwalks and railings when working overhead.
If you do not feel safe working at heights, inform your teacher.
Do not drop objects from heights, lower them down with a rope.
Painting hazards and safe working practices
Most paints used in the scene shop are non-toxic, acrylic or latex water based paints. However, spray paints and enamels are sometimes used. These paints can create health as well as safety hazards. Caution should be used when spraying any type of paint.
A particle mask and goggles are required when spraying acrylic and latex paints for all present.
All spray paint (cans) should be used under the exhaust hood.
Goggles should be worn when painting overhead or using spray cans.
Clean up paint spills immediately.
Completely clean up buckets, brushes and rollers when finished painting. Hang the brushes to dry quickly