@The Arts Unit Creative Classes

WHS incidents and emergencies

Explore safety requirements within the entertainment industry

Student VET entertainment resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 11 and 12 VET entertainment

What will I learn?

You will:

  • explore workplace injuries

  • identify WHS incident and emergency procedures.

Schools Spectacular 2019 Photo Credit: Anna Warr

Workplace injuries

When exploring workplace injuries considerations include:

  • types of workplace injuries

  • causes of workplace injuries

  • prevention of workplace injuries

  • cost of workplace injuries.

TASKS:

  1. Explain how each of the following injuries could occur in an entertainment industry work environment:

    • electric shock

    • burns and scalds

    • cuts and abrasions

    • falls

    • machine injuries

    • strains and sprains

    • occupational overuse syndrome (OOS)

    • chemical injuries.

2. Identify examples and explain how the following circumstances can cause workplace injuries:

  • lack of protection and safety equipment

  • poor maintenance

  • inadequate lighting

  • spills and obstructions

  • faulty or incorrect equipment

  • poor ergonomics

  • inadequate instruction, training and supervision

  • personal factors including stress, tiredness and inappropriate behaviour

  • unrealistic timeframes

  • negligence

  • fatigue.

The cost of a workplace injury is significant and has an impact on not just the individual person injured.

Watch the video 'Cost of workplace injury'.

Cost of workplace injury

Duration: 01:03

TASKS:

  • Define the 4 different costs to workplace injuries:

    • human

    • social

    • economic

    • organisational.

  • Identify 5 common workplace injuries that could occur in the entertainment industry.

  • Discuss the human, social, economic and organisational implications for these injuries.


Basic first aid

All entertainment workplaces are required to provide adequate facilities for the administration of first aid. This includes:

  • providing a suitably equipped first aid kit and/or trained personnel with equipment

  • recording all persons receiving basic first aid in a First Aid Register

  • record of major medical accidents

  • posting emergency contact information near the phone

    • ‘000’ – landline number

    • ‘112’ – mobile phones.

Knowing how to respond to a basic first aid incident in a workplace is essential for all employers and employees. If a patron or fellow worker presents with an injury or illness an immediate response is vital in the outcome of the situation.

The St John 'DRSABCD Action Plan' is a free poster available to be printed and displayed in all workplaces as reference to how to respond in first aid incidents.

drsabcdactionplana4poster.pdf

Emergency situations

There are many situations that can occur in any industry. These situations can mostly be categorised as an:

  • incident

  • accident

  • emergency.

Watch the video 'Incidents, Accidents and Emergencies'.

Define each of the situations and identify relevant examples of each that could occur in the entertainment industry.

Incidents, Accidents and Emergencies

Duration: 01:11

Responding to an emergency

Watch the video '6 Steps to Developing an Emergency Action Plan' to explore the processes required in preparing for the response to a workplace emergency.

6 Steps to Developing an Emergency Action Plan

Duration: 02:42

Key points when responding to emergencies in the entertainment industry

  • activate signal, alarms and exits

  • STAY CALM!

  • assess the situation

  • identify the extent of the emergency

  • activate emergency evacuation procedures

  • contact emergency services

  • account for staff and patrons

  • complete venue check

  • provide first aid where needed

  • report on emergency after its resolved.

TASK:

Discuss and document the specific emergency procedures an entertainment industry workplace if the following emergencies occurred:

  • bomb threat

  • accident/serious injury/illness to a patron during a performance

  • accident/serious injury/illness to a performer prior a performance

  • fire on stage

  • robbery/armed hold-up in a ticketing agency

  • natural disaster (flood, storm or power outage) during a performance.

Case Study - Manchester Arena concert

The Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 is an example of a recent entertainment industry emergency.

Explore the details of the event through ABC news report and 'The Guardian' webpage and discuss the response to the emergency.

ABC News - Ariana Grande concert explosion at Manchester

Duration: 03:17

Fire equipment

There are various ways to effectively extinguish different types of fires, including fire hoses, extinguishers and fire blankets.

Fires can occur in the entertainment industry during all stage of production, anywhere in a theatre.

Extinguisher-Chart-A4_2017-LowRes.pdf

TASKS:

  • Identify different situations when fires could occur, both backstage and front of house.

  • Explore the 'Fire extinguisher selection chart' from Fire & Safety Australia and outline which would be the most appropriate method to respond to each type fire you have identified.

Reporting and recording

All industries, including the entertainment industry, have workplace requirements for recording and reporting in relation to work, heath and safety. This also includes understanding the role and responsibility of relevant personnel and levels of authority within the workplace.

When reporting it can be:

  • formal/informal

  • written

  • verbal.

It is essential to apply all workplace policy and protocols and regulatory requirements when recording and reporting in relation to WHS.

TASK:

Identify and discuss the different types of reports or record documentation used in the entertainment industry.

Safety in context

Watch the video 'WHS in major events' from Safe Work Australia' as an insight into the safety measures taken by the national organisation to ensure that all major events are fun, exciting and safe.

WHS in major events

Duration: 1:04:24

Congratulations!

You have completed this @The Arts Unit Creative Class.

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