Health and safety

Statement of Intent

All people working with and on behalf of South Brent Amateur Dramatic Society (SBADS) shall always be responsible for ensuring they maintain best practice to maintain the safety of themselves, audiences, passers-by and other members of the Society.

This will be achieved using:

  • Documented policies
  • Monitoring and Review
  • Risk Assessments
  • Following best known practice for the work undertaken (SBADS maintains up to date copies of the relevant HSE Brief Guides for the most common risks)

This Safety Policy will be reviewed annually by the SBADS Committee.

Lead Responsibility for this policy

  • For each production undertaken by South Brent Amateur Dramatic Society (SBADS) an experienced member of the production team (usually the Producer) will be agreed in advance as the Lead Person (LP) for health and safety.
  • For the purposes of this policy, it is the LP’s responsibility to ensure compliance during production preparation, rehearsals and performances by all members, particularly members of the cast, stage, lighting and sound crews.
  • This will be in conjunction with the designated Stage Manager, who has responsibility for safety of the stage and backstage areas and the Tech Crew Lead who has responsibility for the lighting and sound systems.
  • The relationship between the LP, the Stage Manager and the Tech Crew Lead is the cornerstone of our safe environment.
  • In the event of any conflicts or uncertainty the LP is to consult with the HSO (currently the SBADS Chair) at the earliest opportunity.

Stage Crew, Tech Crew and Cast Responsibilities

It is normal for there to be:

  • a Stage Crew – responsible for safety on Stage and backstage and of the Scenery and Props;
  • a Tech Crew – responsible for safe placement and use of Lighting, Sound and Special Effects;
  • a Front of House Crew – responsible for the safety of the House and the audience;
  • members of a Cast who are the performers.

This safety policy relates equally to everyone, requiring continual co-operation from all.  All adult members must be particularly vigilant regarding safety of any children involved in our production as they are much less likely to recognise hazards and avoid them.

Controls and Instructions

These are normally by verbal discussion and instruction.  Written instruction is given where deemed necessary by the Lead Person responsible for any production, particularly if there is something novel in the production with safety implications.

Health Issues

It is the responsibility of everyone to make known to the Lead Person any medical condition that may affect his or her ability to work within the Safety Policy.

Risk Management

  • Risk is managed using best practice and procedures.
  • Prior to each production, a briefing session is held by the Director to ensure that all people taking part in the production are aware of how the work will be carried out and any unusual risks. The SBADS Production Risk assessment is to be completed and discussed at this meeting
  • Diagrams, plans, and a list of tasks with designated owners may supplement this briefing.
  • During the production, if any unsafe practices are observed, the observer will alert the LP (or Stage Manager or Tech Team lead as most appropriate) who will call a halt to activities until the problem is resolved.

Risk Assessments

Prior to each production, a Risk Assessment will be carried out to see if there are any unusual aspects to the production.  This risk assessment will consider existing or generic assessments as well as any production-specific risks.

If an existing or generic Risk Assessment does not already cover the production, a separate assessment will be undertaken by the Lead Person and the new or unusual risks will be documented.  Risk Assessments will be countersigned by the HSO and filed with the SBADS Committee, available for inspection by any appropriate Authority, or Society member.

Policy Monitoring and Review

Following every production, an informal review is undertaken by the Lead Person and involving the Cast, Stage Crew, Lighting and Sound Crew and the FoH Crew to identify any concerns.  The Lead Person will raise any concerns with the Committee, having first agreed any corrective actions that need immediate implementation.

General Accident Prevention

The policy of the Society is to make every effort to avoid accidents.  It is therefore essential that people under its guidance:

  • Must not work on equipment without authority
  • Must warn others of danger as soon as apparent
  • 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 not consume, or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, during a rehearsal or production. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is forbidden inside any building associated with the audition, rehearsal or production.
  • Adhere to the risk assessment and its guidance

Accident Reporting

  • An Accident Book is to be held by the Stage Manager and will be available for each production.
  • In the event of an accident, the Stage Manager, or in his/her absence, the LP should be advised and will update the book accordingly once immediate health and safety responses are complete.

Fire Safety

  • All local fire safety instructions will be followed.
  • In the production of a Risk Assessment pointing to the need for additional fire equipment or special instruction, this will be provided prior to any activity or production being undertaken.
  • The Stage Manager will be responsible for Fire Safety at the production venue.
  • A Fire Drill will form part of the rehearsal schedule to ensure all the cast know how to leave the premises quickly and safely.
  • If the venue fire alarm is disabled or part disabled to allow the use of theatrical smoke, haze or pyrotechnics, the procedure for disabling and enabling the fire alarm is to be agreed in advance and followed rigorously

First Aid

  • Wherever possible a production team will include a qualified First Aider.
  • A stocked first aid kit will be available at the production venue.
  • A mobile phone will be available during rehearsals and productions.
  • If a Risk Assessment indicates the need for additional first aid equipment or special instruction, this will be provided before any activity or production being undertaken.

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

If the production of a Risk Assessment indicates the need for additional precautions or special instruction relating to COSHH, this will be provided before any activity or production being undertaken.

Work Equipment

All equipment used, including lights, cables, sound systems, trussing, rigging tools, mounting brackets, stage extensions, flats and similar will be in good order and condition.  Any discrepancies must be notified to the Stage Manager or Lead Person for action as necessary.

Manual Handling

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 Stage Manager/ LP.  The HSO will provide advice on lifting upon request.

Working at Heights

  • Where there is activity being undertaken above head height, appropriate safety measures will be deployed. Only PASMA qualified people may assemble, use and dismantle the access tower.
  • Generic risk assessments are in place for the normally encountered working at heights.

Electrical Power safety

  • All power ratings 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.

Lighting specific instructions

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 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.

Sound Specific Instructions

The sound crew will ensure that:

  • speakers and cables are in good condition
  • the mounting brackets for speakers are secure
  • all microphones and cables are in good condition and adequately secured if appropriate.

Cast and Crew Instructions

An attendance book will be available for rehearsals and performances at the production venue:

  • All cast, stage crew, sound and lighting crew and other helpers will sign in when they arrive and out when they leave.
  • Any chaperones will sign in themselves and ensure any children under their supervision sign in and out.