General Safety Guidelines
At least three trained people are required; one in the loading gallery, one on the operating line and a spotter/rigger on stage. For large pieces additional people are required.
Electric Lines must be re-balanced every time a light or cable is added or removed. Removing more than three lights without re-balancing can create a dangerously out-of-balance line.
During the loading/unloading process, an unbalanced load condition exists. This is potentially VERY DANGEROUS.
Never leave a line set out of balance. Brakes can fail if a line is more than 50 pounds out of balance
Counterweights should never be stacked higher than the top of the kick rail and should be evenly distributed along the length of the loading deck.
Adding or taking off weights
Whenever possible, battens should be loaded at Low Trim – with the batten fully down.
Use a belay pin to hold the lines stationary while battens are being loaded.
Once the load has been attached, add weights from the upper fly deck.
Lift weights with your legs while keeping your back as vertical as possible.
Spreader plates are required between each 24” of counterweights. Lines are marked where spreader plates should be positioned.
Add at least 50%, but no more than 100% of the final weight while the load is being supported by the ground.
Slowly release the line set (belay pin and brakes) and raise the batten until the load is fully vertical, Do not allow the line set to touch adjacent line sets.
Final trim should be done from the lower fly deck.
Level the load using turnbuckles.
Reverse the process for unloading lines. Counterweights should be the LAST THING LOADED, and the FIRST THING UNLOADED when the line set is at low trim.
Certification
Complete line operation certification
Review general safety guidelines with trainer
Demonstrate safe loading and/or unloading of a line set from each of the three positions: loading gallery, line operator and rigger.
Sign and submit FlySystemSafety form.