Montgomery County Public Schools DRAMA AND THEATER SAFE1Y HANDBOOI< ~ Rockville, Maryland March 2007 Introduction The Drama and Theater Safety guidelines were developed to promote safe, accident-free theatrical productions in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). They are based upon proper theatrical safety techniques and should be referred to frequently as a checklist for production safety. Applicable MCPS safety regulations and county fire and safety codes shall be followed. All theater sponsors and media services technicians are required to be familiar with the contents of this handbook and to follow all safety guidelines and regulations. Throughout the handbook, the term sponsor refers jointly to all adult theater staff responsible for a production, including, but not limited to, the drama director, technical director, choreographer, and stage director. A media services technician may be designated as a technical director. Each year, prior to production work, the theater sponsor shall conduct appropriate safety training sessions for students who plan to participate in set design, construction, lighting design, and other related technical theater activities. Students shall obtain parental permission to participate in safety training prior to any production work. For questions regarding safety, contact Ms. Pamela Montgomery, safety supervisor, Department of Facilities Management, at 240-314-'1070. Contact Ms. Helen Smith, coordinator of secondary art, theater, and dance, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, at 301-279-3834, or Ms. Gail Bailey, director, School Library Media Programs, at 301-279-3215, for help with all other related drama/theater questions. By using these guidelines and being familiar with the MCPS safety regulations and county fire and safety codes, theater sponsors and students will be encouraged to present drama productions that are artistic, enjoyable, and as safe as possible for everyone involved. All theater sponsors and media services technicians shall review this document at the beginning of each school year and prior to any theatrical production. We give special thanks to Fairfax County Public Schools for the use of their student licensure components (tests) within this handbook. 1 Table of Contents Page Introduction· .................................................................................................................................. 1 Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... 3 General Safety Responsibilities ................................................................................................... 5 Student Training............................................................................................................................ 5 Stage Storage and General Housekeeping .................................................................................... 6 Catwalks and Fly Systems ............................................................................................................ 7 Electrical Systems and Booth ...................................................................................................... 8 Scenery and Construction ............................................................................................................ 9 Pit Covers .................................................................................................................................... 11 Performance and House Safety ................................................................................................... 11 Basic Theater Safety Rules ......................................................................................................... 13 Theater Safety Inspection ........................................................................................................... 15 Appendix A (Parental Permission for Student Stage Crew Training) ........................................ 17 Appendix B (Technical Crew Training Authorization Card) ..................................................... 19 Appendix C (OSHA Scaffolding Standard) ................................................................................ 21 Appendix D (Student Technical Crew Authorization Requirements) ........................................ 55 Glossary .................................................................................................................................... 117 3 MCPS Drama and Theater Safety Handbook I. General Safety Responsibilities A. Students working on technical crews and those rehearsing or performing in the auditorium shall be under the direct supervision of a theater sponsor. B. General stage safety rules shall be posted backstage in prominent locations. C. Theater sponsors shall monitor student health and safety, and have health considerations (i.e., allergies, diabetic conditions, etc.) on record in the theater office. D. The theater sponsor or media services technician (MST) shall notify the Montgomery County fire marshal's office for approval of set and performance co~ditions at least 10 days in advance of the first performance. The Montgomery County fire marshall can be reached at 240-777-2457. E. Theater sponsors shall ensure that crewmembers are familiar with the location and operation of each type of fire extinguisher, fire curtain, and/or smoke doors. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, SECURE AN OUTSIDE LINE, CALL 911, AND EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY. F. Work gloves, individual sanitized safety goggles, and hard hats shall be available when required for theater sponsors, students, and MSTs and shall be used in accordance with applicable safety regulations and guidelines. G. Theater sponsors shall promptly report all accidents to the administration. Emergency numbers must be posted and a phone must be accessible at all times. H. Smoking is prohibited on school property or in any school facility, regardless of the age or status of the individual. I. In compliance with the SEIU Local 500 contract, Article 22, page 59 (item B), an adult observer must be present when MSTs are required to perform duties in high places. The observer shall wear a hard hat and watch from the auditorium floor in close proximity to the MST. The observer shall call 911 (secure an outside line) in case of an emergency and notify a school administrator. J. An adult observer must be present when the technical director and trained students are on the catwalk. II. Student Training A. Sponsors shall select crewmembers based on their demonstrated dependability and responsibility. 5 B. Only students and staff associated with the production shall be permitted backstage during rehearsals and performances. C. Students shall obtain parental permission to train for backstage work (see Appendix A). All students interested in working on set construction, lighting, sound, or special effects shall successfully complete a safety-training program conducted by the drama director. The areas of safety training will include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. General stage safety required of any crewmember 2. The use and care oflighting and audio equipment 3. Safe operation of all permanently installed theatrical equipment 4. Set construction safety, scaffolds, ladders, and winches/battens 5. Power tool safety 6. The fly system 7. Catwalks D. Upon completion of the appropriate training, students will be issued a Technical Crew Authorization Card (see Appendix B), which will qualify them to work on those crews for which they have been trained-while under the direct supervision of the theater sponsor. A copy of this card will be on file with the theater sponsor. E. Students are not permitted on catwalks unless the technical director is present on the catwalk with the student, and an adult observer is present on the floor in close proximity to the catwalk. III. Stage Storage and General Housekeeping A. Stage space behind the proscenium shall not be used for the storage of any equipment other than that necessary for stage utilization. Unobstructed access to fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and the fire curtain must be maintained (see Montgomery County Fire Code Chapter 22). B. Backstage spaces shall be kept cleaned and organized at all times. Dispose of all trash and lumber scraps after each work session. C. Crewmembers are required to sweep the stage after construction work has taken place and before students are permitted to use it for rehearsal or performance. D. Proper ventilation and frequent damp mopping of the stage and construction areas are required in order to reduce dust accumulations. E. Sponsors will store and lock all stage equipment, scaffolding, ladders, and tools used by crews immediately after use. 6 F. The theater sponsor or MST must secure the projection booth, catwalks, and all storage areas prior to leaving the auditorium. G. A first aid kit shall be located within easy access of work areas. H. Sponsors shall perform a safety inspection of all tools and equipment before use. I. Costumes shall be hung in a well-ventilated, cool, dry area that is cleaned regularly. Costumes, wigs, hats, etc., should be cleaned before reuse. J. Costumes shall be made from fire-retardant materials whenever possible. Untreated paper products are not permitted to be used for costumes or for accessories (refer to MCPS Regulation EBA-RA, Fire Safety). K. Temporary dressing rooms and makeup areas shall be large enough to accommodate cast members safely and comfortably