Tech Theater - Safety Quiz #1
Most common mistake in set construction
measuring and marking something wrong - measure twice, cut once
Fire Exits
never block these; a blocked fire exit could lead to the theater being shut down during an impromptu inspection from the local fire department
Horseplay in the Theater
horseplay can never be tolerated; theater is not a playground
Carpenter/Framing Square
used to lay out two pieces of wood at a right angle
TriSquare/Speed Square
used to mark a square line across wood; most of the marks you will make will be 90 degrees, or square marks; pull the edge of the square up against the edge of the wood tightly, then mark the wood; mark arrows pointing to the line, and mark an X on the scrap, the part you won't be using
Chalk/Snap Line
used to mark long, straight lines; simply mark the two points you want to connect, shake up the chalk line, pull out the line and put the line on the two marks; pull the line tight, and snap the line; brush away excess chalk with a small brush
Level
used to see if something is perfectly horizontal or vertical; lay a level on it's side horizontally and move the leve up and down to get the bubble in the middle of the vial to see if something is level; lay a level on it's side against something vertical to check if it is plumb
When to Wear Work Gloves
wear them when there is a possibility of getting splinters, rope burn, or if you're working with lights; wear them during load-in, set strike, taking out the trash, handling deliveries, and working a fly system
3 Tool Categories
- measuring and marking tools - cutting and shaping tools - joining tools
Fire Curtains
Closes off the performing area from the auditorium; many theaters have this
What to Wear in the Theater
Don't wear loose-fitting clothing or jewelry, pin back long hair; never wear sandals; wear work gloves Loose-fitting clothing, jewelry, and long hair can be a very serious problem in the theater. If a shirt tail is hanging out and you are working with a power tool, the blade or bit of the power tool could become tangled in loose fitting clothing, and you would be pulled into the moving blade or bit. The same thing could happen with jewelry or long hair. If you have long hair, be sure to pin it up and out of the way
Music in the Theater
Never use personal stereos or play music at high volumes while you're working in the theater; if there's an emergency you want to be able to hear so you are aware of it (a wrench being dropped from a ladder)
Ladder Safety
Only have one person at a time on a ladder, don't stand above the safe level, make sure the ladder is rated for the weight of the person climbing it, and never leave tools on top of a ladder
Name one of the biggest safety issues.
Picking the right tool for the right job.
Who should you always follow the direction of?
Technical Director
Flameproofing
always use fabrics that have been treated with this
Storage Safety
don't stack things so they are unstable and might fall; lumber should always be stored horizontally to keep it from warping, and large pieces of scenery should be stored vertically or slightly tilted for easier access
Fire Extinguishers
every theater should have these available in key areas; they should be working and regularly tested; use multipurpose ones (ABC rated)
Dust Collection System
should have one in place wherever the shop is when building on stage w/out one check and regularly clean the flameproofing of your curtains (sawdust build up on curtains can lead to a fire hazard); also check lighting dimmers and have electricians clean them regularly (sawdust build up in dimmers can lead to fire hazard)
Tape Measure Use
when you use a tape measure, first look at the wood you're marking and cross out old lines; hook the end of the tape over the end of what you're measuring and have someone hold the end of the tape to keep it form slipping off and flying back at you; pull the tape out till its several inches past your desired mark and lock the tape measure; roll the tape measure to one side so you can put the edge of the tape on the wood and make your mark; then reach out and grab the tape, release the lock, and retract the tape slowly; if you let it fly back, the metal edge of the tape can cut your finger
Fires
with all the electricity used on stage you should always be prepared for the possibility of a fire, especially in the performing area.