This will be achieved by the use of:
a Documented policies
b
Monitoring and Review
c
Risk
Assessments
d Following
best known practice for all aspects of work undertaken
Bramley
Parish Theatre Players is an amateur dramatic society based in Bramley,
Leeds,
UK. This Safety Policy refers to all Society members and will be made
know to
all other stage users at St. Margaret’s Church, Newlay Lane
where we mostly
perform.
Examples of Work undertaken by BPTP:
Provision,
rigging and running of lighting for stage shows held
at St. Margaret’s Church Hall.
Assistance with Church events which
involve us such as Garden Parties;
Shows at Hunter’s Greve including erection of temporary staging or structures.
Lead
Responsibility for this policy
For each event undertaken by BPTP an experienced member of the team will be agreed in advance as the lead person.
These
are normally by verbal discussion and instruction. Written instruction
is given
where deemed necessary by the lead
person responsible for any event.
It
is the responsibility of each individual to make known to the lead
person any
medical condition that may affect his or her ability to work within the
Safety
Policy.
Stage
Crew and Cast responsibilities
Within
the Society it is generally acknowledged that there is a
‘Stage Crew’
responsible for Scenery, Lighting, Sound, Props; and a
‘Cast’ who are the
performers. This safety policy relates equally to Stage Crew and Cast,
implying
that a high degree of co-operation is needed from both sides at all
times
During
performances,
b All
members of the Stage crew must follow the instructions of the Stage
Manager
during performances.
Prior
to each event, a briefing session is held by the
Lead Person to ensure that all people (covered by this policy) taking
part in
the event are aware of how the work will be carried out and any unusual
risks.
Diagrams,
plans, and a list of tasks with designated
owners may supplement this briefing
During the event, if any unsafe practices are observed, the Lead Person will call a halt to activities until the problem is resolved.
A qualified First Aider must be present during all rigging and potentially hazardous activities.
Following
every event, an informal review is
undertaken by the members involved to ensure that all policies were met.
Members
of the Lighting and Sound teams will review
the policies within four weeks after each Annual General Meeting, and
details
will be passed to the BPTP Stage Manager
The
BPTP Stage Manager will review the policies in
line with BPTP’s own policies and raise any concerns with
Committee, having
first agreed any corrective actions that need immediate implementation.
This
Policy will be reviewed annually by the Committee
of BPTP
Prior
to each event, a Risk Assessment will be carried
out to see if there are any unusual aspects to the event.
If an
existing or generic Risk Assessment does not
already cover the event, a separate assessment will be undertaken by
the Lead
Person and the new or unusual risks will be documented, typically
covering:
1. The
task
2. Hazards
3. Persons
exposed to the risk
4. Control
Measures
5. Risk
Rating
6. Further
Controls and Extra Safety Procedures
7. Informing
the designated First Aider of any extra risk.
Risk
Assessments will be
filed with the BPTP Secretary and be available for inspection by any
appropriate Authority.
All
local fire safety instructions will be followed.
In the
event of a Risk Assessment pointing to the need
for additional fire equipment or special instruction, this will be
provided
prior to any activity or event being undertaken.
At
each event a person will be designated as Fire
Officer with the role of enabling cast and audience to evacuate the
building
safely.
He/She
will check that Fire Extinguishers and Blankets
are in the correct place and Fire Doors and Exits operating correctly.
A Fire Drill
will form
part of the rehearsal schedule to ensure all the cast know how to leave
the
premises quickly and safely. The Fire Steward will be provided with a
whistle. The Fire Steward will follow the guidance set out in the
'Duties and role of the Fire Steward' document. He/she will advise on
any amendments and improvements he/she thinks are required following or
when undertaking the duties.
In all cases, a
qualified First Aider taken from the list held by the Secretary, will be present at an event. This
is a
mandatory requirement where more than 50 people will be involved.
They
will have access to a suitable first aid kit and
are responsible for checking that it is adequate.
Also
they need to have a mobile phone.
They
will check Risk Assessment forms to ensure there
is no added risk.
In the event of a Risk Assessment pointing to the need for additional first aid equipment or special instruction, this will be provided prior to any activity or event being undertaken. The First Aider will follow the guidance set out in the 'Duties and role of the First Aider' document. He/she will advise on any amendments and improvements he/she thinks are required following or when undertaking the duties.
All
local procedures for Accident reporting will be followed by all members
of the
team, depending upon the location of the event being undertaken. An
Accident
Book is kept at St. Margaret’s Church for the use of hall
users.
All
Lead Persons must have a working knowledge of the requirements brought
about by
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and bear these in
mind whilst
completing risk assessments. In the event of a Risk Assessment pointing
to the
need for additional precautions or special instruction relating to
COSHH, this
will be provided prior to any activity or event being undertaken.
All
equipment used including lights, cables, sound systems, trussing,
rigging
tools, mounting brackets and similar will be in good order and
condition. Any
discrepancies must be notified to the lead person for action as
necessary.
All
team members must have
a working knowledge of good manual handling procedures. Protective
clothing
such as gloves, boots, hats will be worn by all people if deemed
necessary by
the lead person.
Where
there is activity being undertaken above head height, appropriate
safety
measures will be deployed. Generic risk assessments are in place for
various
types of working at heights.
The
policy of the Society
to prevent accidents. It is therefore essential that people under its
guidance:
Must
not work on equipment without authority
Must
not fail to warn others of danger
Must
not leave equipment in a dangerous condition
Must
not use defective equipment
Must
not use the wrong type of, or inappropriate,
equipment
Must
lift loads in the correct manner and with the
appropriate number of
people
Must
ensure that no unauthorised servicing of
equipment is undertaken by
incompetent people
Must
not abuse alcohol or drugs
Whenever
lights are being
hung from brackets or ceiling mountings, the lighting crew will ensure
that:-
The
light is in good condition
The mounting brackets are secure and that adequate sized bolts are used
A secondary mounting point is used to attach a safety chain
All
cables are in good condition and adequately
secured to appropriate mounting point
All
adapters will be in good condition and inspected
for electrical and mechanical faults prior to use.
All
power rating will be calculated to ensure that no
lighting channel, overall power supply or plug rating is overloaded.
These
will be documented as part of a rigging plan.
All
cables will be adequately rated to ensure that
they can take the power.
The
sound crew will ensure
that :-
Speakers
and cables are in good condition.
The
mounting brackets for speakers are secure and that
adequate sized bolts are used.
A
secondary mounting point is used to attach a safety
chain.
All
microphones and cables are in good condition and
adequately secured to appropriate mounting points.
At rehearsals and performances:
All cast will sign in when they arrive and put their name in the Fire Steward’s Book.
All cast will sign out when they leave.
The stage crew and sound and lighting crew will also sign in using the Fire Steward’s book and sign out as they leave.
Front of House crew and all other helpers will sign in using the Fire Steward’s Book and sign out as they leave.
Chaperones of the dancers will sign in themselves, using the Fire Steward’s Book and furnish the Fire Steward with a list of names of children present on the night.
Adopted by Bramley Parish Theatre Players
8th. June 2006 Chairman
Amended 21st. September 2006
Revised 2nd. October 2008