Comments on: Theatre Health and Safety

By: Rod Newstead

Rod Newstead — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:50:55 +0000

Why do stage lights have a safety chain. If the light is fixed using a well pre-designed bracket which is fit for purpose what use is a chain. We don’t fit chains to any other light fittings why do we fit them on stage lighting??

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:31:46 +0000

Hi Mark

Part 2 is still on the drawing board, it’ll surface in the future. Glad you enjoyed it.

By: Mark Percival

Mark Percival — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:21:38 +0000

Really enjoyed the article about Health & Safety in the Theatre but I can’t find part 2. Is it still available?

By: Peanut

Peanut — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:03:19 +0000

Kev, HOW can you not see that that line was a joke????

By: Rob Sayer

Rob Sayer — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:27:43 +0000

Hi Kevin,

While it’s true that such questions about the “rules” of safe working aren’t usually asked by professionals, not everyone working in the business understands that health and safety isn’t a magic list of prescribed rules which, if followed, ensure a long life for everyone. But I’ve heard some pretty outlandish nonsense talked about “the law” and the example in the article, while tongue in cheek, isn’t far off the mark.

It’s important that those of us responsible for the workplace safety system understand that.

By: Kevin McKeon

Kevin McKeon — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 06:20:00 +0000

Is it true I have to wear a harness when working over 2m from the stage floor, on a Tuesday, if there are less than 2 qualified electricians within 50 metres of the work area?

On a Tuesday?

That ridiculous remark, establishes how ridiculous your comments are. Certainly not professional.

By: Peanut

Peanut — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:28:13 +0000

Great article! Totally agree. I too enjoy going to work knowing that I’m less likely to be killed by falling objects/electrical fires because somebody somewhere has assessed the risks inherent in the task they’ve asked me to perform. Then at least the only risks are ones you create yourself, like the touring rigger last week who though it was 1961 and climbed a 50′ truss without a harness coz his mates thought he was ‘cool’….. “Get down please, you’re fired.”

People say ‘screw H&S’, but I’d rather die from a bungee accident or something that’s actually fun than at work doing something I don’t really want to be doing in the first place!