HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS for
Stourbridge Amateur Operatic Society OCTOBER 2014
HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS WHITE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 2014
CONTENTS Approach
2
RISK ASSESSMENTS: Front of House
3
Lighting
4-5
Stage Scenery
6
Properties
7
1
HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS WHITE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 2014 Approach Our approach to risk assessment is based on a simple process that examines the hazards and risks associated with our activities. Definitions HAZARD
A hazard is an activities’ potential to cause harm. It may cause you to cough, feel heat, kill you etc.
RISK
A risk is the likelihood that the activity will harm you in the actual circumstances presented by the hazard. Any risk has a probability and a severity. We categorise probability as being: • A Always happens • B Nearly always happens • C Often happens • D Doesn’t happen very often • E Hardly ever happens We categorise severity as being: • 1 Death • 2 Severe injury • 3 Serious injury • 4 Minor injury • 5 Little effect Any probability/severity factor from A1 to C3 is regarded as significant and corrective measures are applied to minimise their occurrence. Depending on the circumstances of the situation these remedies could be re-design, protection, training, warning signs etc. Any probability/severity factor from D4 to E5 is not regarded as significant and remedial measures are only applied where necessary.
RISK ASSESSMENT
The examination of a series of situations to determine each situation’s potential to do harm. This is an ongoing process and any probability/severity factor should be re-classified where occurrences suggest.
Distribution Risk Assessments will be distributed to those who could be affected by the hazards highlighted, including non-members of the society who are employed in a professional capacity by the society. Any amendments will be notified to those to whom the assessments were originally distributed. All members will have access to these risk assessments via the Members’ Area of the society’s website: www.stourbridge-operatic.co.uk.
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HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS WHITE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 2014 FRONT OF HOUSE Area
Hazard
Probability A–E
Severity 1–5
Foyer
General Safety of Staff/Audience
D
4
Kitchen
General Maintenance of STH Equipment Spillages
D
3
C
3
Use of hot water dispensers
D
3
Potential Injury carrying refreshments
E
4
Injury caused by falling down/tripping up steps leading on/off stage
C
4
Obstruction of fire escape routes
E
2
Use of Snow Fluid for snow effect over the first five rows of the stalls
D
4
Injury caused by slipping/falling on wet floor following use of snow making machine
D
4
Auditorium
3
Action Required/Taken All exits are to be kept clear in case of emergency. Stewards are posted on all doors leading from the Auditorium to assist patrons during performances. It is assumed that all STH-owned equipment is maintained in a safe condition. All spillages to be cleaned immediately and any subsequent wet areas of floor to coned off until dry. Users should utilise the dispenser at the most appropriate height to reduce the risk of injury through hot water spillages. All refreshments served to patrons in the Auditorium should be carried on trays provided by DMBC. Carrying straps should be utilised at all times and where possible another front of house staff should assist. Steps leading off/onto stage to be secure at all times and that brakes are applied. White tape should be applied to all steps to ensure full visibility when utilised during a performance in restricted lighting. Sufficient space is required around the steps on the auditorium floor to ensure easy access. Auditorium seating around tables should not encroach into the gangway between the two fire exits at the front of the auditorium. Any seating that is found to be obstructing the gangway should be moved to ensure a clear walkway exists in case of emergency evacuation. Material Safety Data Sheet indicates that the fluid can be an irritant to eyes and skin. First Aid measures are detailed on the sheet. To prevent any possibly injury, hand and eye protection should be worn when handling the fluid. The fluid should be stored in a suitable container at a temperature between 0°C and 50°C. Thorough cleaning and drying of auditorium floor following the use of snow machine. Audience to be made aware of the use of the snow machine and the potential hazard to ensure safe exit from the auditorium at the end of the performance.
HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS WHITE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 2014 LIGHTING Area Auditorium
Stage
Probability A-E
Severity 1–5
General Safety of Staff/Audience
C
4
Potential Injury Carrying Equipment Potential Safety Hazards from Overhead Work
C
3
D
2
General Maintenance of STH Equipment Lowering LX Bars – Other People
D
2
D
3
Lowering LX Bars – Winding mechanism
D
3
Hanging Lanterns
D
2
Using Hired-in lanterns
D
2
Falling Accessories
D
2
Trailing cables
B
3
Hazard
4
Action Required/Taken All cables fastened down. Trip hazards, e.g. outriggers on hoist, protected by DMBC-supplied cones. All people not directly involved with the work are kept well away from hazardous work areas. Any areas thought to be of concern with the fabric of the Theatre are reported to DMBC staff for remedial action to be taken. All non-easily carried equipment brought into Theatre using DMBC-supplied trolleys. Everybody is kept away from the work carried out in front-of-house bars and side ‘perches’ when lanterns are hung/work of any kind is undertaken over the main floor area in case of accidental dropping of lantern accessories (e.g. gel holders). This is achieved by coning, posting a sentry or, chiefly, working overhead when the hall is empty. It is assumed that all STH-owned equipment is maintained in a safe condition. The lighting bars are usually lowered when only the lighting crew are present. Unless working alone, a sentry is always present on stage to watch as the bars are being lowered to ensure they do not strike scenery etc. or other people working elsewhere on stage Until such time as DMBC replace the present winding system with and electric/automatic winch, care is taken to ensure that the safety catch is on when winding up the bars and that the safety catch can be quickly operated when winding the bar down. The present lighting technician, Steve Hewitt, has been trained in the use of the winding mechanism Lanterns must be securely fastened using approved hook-clamps and secondary devices (safety chain/wire) are also used to prevent lanterns falling in the unlikely event of failure of the hook-clamp. Lanterns are electronically connected using mains plugs, leads or adaptors approved for theatrical use. Before being brought into the Theatre, all electrical items are PAT tested for safety by the organisation hiring out the equipment. ‘Safety-Tested’ labels are also affixed as evidence. All lantern accessories, e.g. gel holders, barn doors, are checked to be securely fitted in accordance with normal procedures prior to the LX bars being flown out. Only by the fitting of non-standard, secondary securing devices (safety wire) can the risk of falling accessories be reduced further. However, the stage lighting industry rarely makes provision for this. All cables are routed or taped down using appropriate tape to avoid them becoming a trip hazard. Cables are routed above doorways/entrances and are never placed where they are likely to be trodden on. Any trailing cables to on-stage portable equipment are made fully visible and performers are made aware of their presence.
Front of House
Control Room
General
D
2
Access to FOH bars
D
1
Accessibility
D
3
Follow Spots
E
4
5
The above notes concerning general maintenance of STH owned equipment, hanging of lanterns, security of accessories, and hiring in of equipment equally apply to this section. Only the present lighting technician, Matthew Bird, accesses the FOH bars. This is due to the required use of the DMBC-maintained powered hoist to gain height to the bars. Matthew Bird has been trained in the safe use of the hoist and correct procedures are followed in accordance with that training and the hoist manufacturer’s instructions. The Control Room is only access by staff under permission from the present lighting technician or by DMBC staff. The room is treated with the respect it deserves given its function. The access hatch is only allowed to be open while entering or exiting Control Room/Lighting platform. In accordance with DMBC requirements no person under 17 is permitted to use the follow spots. All operators are trained in their use, their powerup/down procedures and made aware of hot parts of the lanterns.
HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS WHITE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 2014 STAGE SCENERY Area Stage
Probability A–E
Severity 1–5
General Safety of Staff
C
4
Potential Injury Carrying Equipment General Maintenance of STH Equipment Lowering/Lifting Fly Bars
C
4
D
2
D
3
Lowering/Lifting Tab tracks
D
2
Hanging Scenery
D
2
Using Hired-in electrical items
D
1
Storage of unused scenery blocking exit routes
D
2
Falling off raised platforms on stage
E
2
Injury and burns from use of pyrotechnics
D
3
Slipping hazard following use of water on stage
C
3
Hazard
6
Action Required/Taken Trip hazards protected by DMBC-supplied cones. All people not directly involved with the work are kept well away from hazardous work areas. Any areas thought to be of concern with the fabric of the Theatre are reported to DMBC staff for remedial action to be taken. All non-easily carried equipment brought into Theatre using DMBC-supplied trolleys. It is assumed that all STH-owned equipment is maintained in a safe condition. The fly bars are usually lowered when only the stage crew are present. Unless working alone, a sentry is always present on stage to watch as the bars are being lowered to ensure they do not strike scenery etc. or other people working elsewhere on stage. Due to the excess weight of the tab tracks, at least two technicians should be present in the fly gallery to lower/lift them. A sentry should always be on stage to watch as the tracks are lowered to ensure they do not strike scenery etc. or other people working elsewhere on stage. All scenery to be flown during performances must be securely fastened using approved hook-clamps and secondary devices (safety chain/wire) are also used to prevent scenery falling in the unlikely event of failure of the hook-clamp. Electrical items are connected using mains plugs, leads or adaptors approved for theatrical use. All performers are made aware of scenes when hanging scenery/cloths are lowered. Before being brought into the Theatre, all electrical items are PAT tested for safety by the organisation hiring out the equipment. ‘Safety-Tested’ labels are also affixed as evidence. Any items of scenery not in use should not be stored on stairways or walkways. All areas on fire escape routes that can be used for storage are designated as such and any scenery must not encroach beyond these limits. All technicians and performers are made familiar with the scenery, including any moving parts, whilst full stage lighting is being used. Any drops that do not have guard rails are specifically highlighted and are edged with white or fluorescent tape so that during low level lighting technicians and performers can see the extremities of the scenery. All crew and cast are made aware of when pyrotechnics will be used during a performance so that sufficient space on stage is allowed to prevent injury. The stage manager will ensure that he/she has a sufficient line of vision to the area in question to ensure that it is clear of crew and cast on ignition. All pyrotechnics will be securely stored between performances to prevent their unsupervised use by an unqualified person. All cast and crew must be made aware of the use of water. All spillages must be cleared and flooring dried before further use by the cast.
HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENTS WHITE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 2014 PROPERTIES Area Stage
Probability A–E
Severity 1–5
General Safety of Staff
C
4
Potential Injury Carrying Equipment
C
4
Using Hired-in electrical items
D
2
Blocked exit routes
D
2
Theft of firearms
E
4
Mis-use of firearms or use by untrained persons
D
4
Damage due to noise when firing blank-firing firearms
B
3
Blast injury caused by debris discharged from the barrel of a firearm
C
3
Hazard
7
Action Required/Taken Trip hazards protected by DMBC-supplied cones, or highlighted by suitably coloured tape. All non-easily carried equipment brought into Theatre using DMBC-supplied trolleys or, where unsuitable, sufficient number of people used to manually carry items. Before being brought into the Theatre, all electrical items are PAT tested for safety by the organisation hiring out the equipment. ‘Safety-Tested’ labels are also affixed as evidence. Any props items not in use should not be stored on stairways or walkways. All areas on fire escape routes that can be used for storage are designated as such and any scenery must not encroach beyond these limits. Firearms will be kept in a locked secure storage by the theatre when not in use. At the start of the act requiring the firearm, the stage manager, or his/her nominated person will collect the firearm and return after use. All firearms, whether blank firing or replica, are to be handled only by persons nominated by the stage manager. Firearms to be controlled by a single person off-stage (stage manager/assistant) and ideally a single person per item on-stage (actor). A responsible member of the stage manager’s team may be nominated to take receipt of the item from the actor/SM & return it to the SM/actor where the performance does not allow for the item to be collected/returned directly. All persons required to handle or use the items will be given an explanation of the associated hazards Information regarding noise levels will be obtained from the supplier. Rules regarding proximity during firing will be explained to all persons on & off stage. Any persons within a certain distance (TBC) of the firearm will be required to take preventative measures to protect their hearing. Hidden hearing protection will be supplied if required. Rules regarding the proximity during firing will be explained to all persons on & off stage. A minimum distance from the barrel will be instigated & explained to all persons. Any persons within a certain distance (TBC) of the firearm will be required to take preventative measures to protect their eyes.
