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When working on any event, small or large, safe work practices must always be adhered to to ensure your own safety and the safety of those around you.
Teachers and students must all ensure they are aware of the following common safe work practices:
manual handling
working with heights
knowing your own personal limits, including fatigue
working with electricity
wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
working with noise
working environment conditions.
Manual handling
Manual handling
Manual handling refers to anything that is lifted or moved by a person manually.
When lifting, the weight of the load needs to be considered in relation to a number factors, including:
actions and movements required
posture and position when lifting
duration and frequency of manual handling
location of loads and the distances moved
physical characteristics of the load.
Light items can still be problematic if they are lifted incorrectly or if light loads are lifted in an environment that is unsafe.
Extremely heavy items should be moved using engineered lifting aids, such as:
a trolley
forklift
automatic lifting device.
Tips for safe manual handling
Tips for safe manual handling
Knowing your own personal limits at the exact time of lifting is essential to maintain your own safety. This includes your own lifting capacity, any current injuries, fatigue or the availability of others to assist or engineering lifting devices.
Schools Spectacular 2019
Lifting
You should:
bend at the knees and keep back straight
balance with one foot slightly forward
hold the object firmly at the base and sides
keep the load close to your body
keep your back straight, head up, chin in, and lift with your legs
always look in the direction you wish to travel, and avoid sudden movements.
Carrying
Heavy items should be carried by two people. Lighten loads by separating into smaller quantities. Prevent muscle strain and fatigue by:
warming up before working
allocating time for rest breaks
allowing time to get used to the job.
Working at heights
Working at heights
Lights, screens, projectors, microphones and speakers often have to be rigged in the roof of a venue and you need to be able to do this safely.
It is important to follow all safety guidelines when working at heights and do not let students move above safe work heights.
The video Safe use of ladders defines the different types of ladders and how to safely use them.
Safe use of ladders
Duration: 03:18Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs) are also a very common way for workers to access height. They include scissor lifts, cherry pickers or boom lifts and operators must be trained and hold licences.
Scaffolding is also used in the Entertainment Industry quite frequently, particularly in stage installation work during a bump in or bump out. It is also very commonly used in outdoor events for constructing stage spaces and equipment towers.
Important points to remember when working at heights:
use equipment that is marked as Australian standard and in good condition
ensure you are working on firm and level ground
make sure that you have 3 points of contact at all times
a harness must be worn if going above a height of 1.8 metres
have a person spotting you where possible
secure or remove any loose objects, for example remove wallet and secure any tools to a belt
don’t lean or reach out to the side, as this may cause you to fall
do not have a phone in your pocket, it may ring and distract you
fully enclosed slip resistant footwear must be worn
only 1 person at a time on any ladder or elevated device
always face the rungs of the ladder
DO NOT use metal ladders when working on live electrical installations.
Working with electricity
Working with electricity
There are many serious risks associated with working with electricity. This is of particular importance when working with lighting, audio and vision, as well as using power tools during set construction.
When working with electricity you must allows ensure the cables:
have a current tag
are of industrial quality and insulated
are not twisted, crushed, kinked, frayed or have any wiring exposed
not create any trip hazards, taping them down or using a cable tray is useful
are protected from the weather.
The video Electrical safety discusses the risks and safety measures when working with electricity.
Electrical safety
Duration: 02:25Testing and tagging is a vital process undertaken in schools. When working to provide technical support for assemblies or arts productions you must ensure all equipment used has been tested and tagged.
The video What is Test and Tag? clarifies this essential process.
What is Test and Tag?
Duration: 00:53Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) relates to something used or worn by a person to minimise risk to their health and safety. It is important to understand that PPE is used to supplement the other control measures in place to reduce risks rather than be the only safety measure used.
It is essential that all PPE is:
suitable for the work and hazards encountered
a suitable size and fit and reasonably comfortable for the worker
maintained, repaired or replaced to ensure continued safety
clean and hygienic, and in good working order
used or worn by the worker, so far as is reasonably practicable
the worker must be provided with information, training and instruction in the proper use and wearing personal protective equipment
stored and maintained correctly.
Further information on PPE is available through Safe Work Australia.
General safety practices
General safety practices
Work clothing
Work clothing
Safe work clothing is an important measure for both the employee and employer and is an element of personal protective equipment.
Key considerations include:
combustibility
visibility
hardiness
working outdoors and application of sunscreen
jewellery
appropriate footwear.
Working environment conditions
Working environment conditions
When working on school events, at times teachers and students are presented with various hazardous working environments. It is essential they are aware of all safety considerations when in such work spaces.
Some of this include:
low light when working backstage
confined spaces, including the orchestra pit
time pressure associated with live events.
Noise
Noise
As noise is ‘fact of life’ for some arts events, you need to safeguard your students and your own health at all times. One of the first signs of hearing damage is ringing in the ears, this is called Tinnitus. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as earplugs or noise cancelling headphones provide excellent protection.
If a person is exposed to noise above 85dB for an extended period of time they must be provided with hearing protection to avoid hearing damage.
Fatigue
Fatigue
Arts events can require your to work long and varied hours and fatigue can become a risk to personal safety.
Knowing your own personal context and limits when working is vital and you need to consider:
are you day or night person?
how much sleep do you need?
at what pace can you work in an long shift?
numerous consecutive ‘hard’ days work
how often do you need a break?
what sort of food or drink do you (should you) consume?
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
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