Safety Guidelines for Performers

I was in the process of preparing for the company safety meeting for our upcoming production of Les Miserables and I came across this resource for performers published by the International Federation of Actors. It is a beautiful publication with some very useful guidelines and is probably the closest thing to an internationally recognized set of safety standards for performers.

http://www.fia-actors.com/en/actsafe.html

Mid-America Sound Corporation settles with Indiana OSHA for $50,000

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/a838027d01ba4badb8b51edf8fd1c1fd/IN--Indiana-Fair-Stage-Collapse

http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=810496

NFPA Looks Back At The 1941 Strand Theatre Fire in Brockton, MA

http://www.nfpa.org/newsandpublications/nfpa-journal/2014/march-april-2014/news-and-analysis/looking-back

It appears that the rest of the world has stumbled on to a backstage staple.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Creative-Safety-Supply-is-Now-Offering-4478937.php

So, I hate hand made signs. They tend to be hard to read and lack necessary clarity that ensures the message is clearly understood.  It reminded me of a good resource for OSHA-compliant sign templates on paper. Not the best solution for long-term marking, but good for that temporary hazard on the occasional piece of scenery that isn't quite finished.

http://www.mysafetysign.com/freepdf/free-safety-signs-pdf-download.aspx

Play it Safe

I wish we could be more like our friends to the north.  Vancouver BC's Actsafe in cooperation with the Vancouver Board of Education has published an easy to understand safety guide for schools and studios.  If you are not familiar with Actsafe's products, you should be.

http://www.actsafe.ca/resources/library/general/books-manuals/playitsafe/

Campus Fire Safety

Now that school is back in session, take a moment to see what the U.S. Fire Administration has to say about staying safe on campus.

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/college/