Open Forum

Hi Janetta,

To my knowledge there are no regulations for performance sets anywhere. They're usually exempt due to the nature of our art. That said, my school district has placed restrictions on us that are above and beyond OSHA standards. Stairs with 3 or more steps (including the second level) require a handrail and platforms over 3' require a safety rail as well. If she's worried about falls, perhaps a toe rail (probably using the wrong term) at the edges of the platforms so students know where the edge is?

------------------------------
Daniel Davis
Orlando FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2019 09:07
From: Janetta Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

My coworker is using a raised (think 60 inches) platform for a middle school play. Where does she find regulations for schools about safety rails for  with height? She checked OSHA and several other regulators and found nothing. In our professional experience the only reg. we have heard of is for professional opera there must be temporary rails until dress rehearsals. This seems like it should be a regulated thing but she can't seem to find anything. Thanks

Janetta Davis

Columbus School for Girls

"To my knowledge there are no regulations for performance sets anywhere. They're usually exempt due to the nature of our art."

THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.  ADA, Building Codes, Fire Codes, and Labor Regulations (OSHA) all fully apply to theatre operations.  There are no 'Theatre Exemptions'.  If anything, the regulations for theatrical spaces are MORE onerous than 'normal' spaces due to the nature of the work.

------------------------------
Erich Friend
Theatre Consultant
Teqniqal Systems
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2019 11:02
From: Daniel Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

Hi Janetta,

To my knowledge there are no regulations for performance sets anywhere. They're usually exempt due to the nature of our art. That said, my school district has placed restrictions on us that are above and beyond OSHA standards. Stairs with 3 or more steps (including the second level) require a handrail and platforms over 3' require a safety rail as well. If she's worried about falls, perhaps a toe rail (probably using the wrong term) at the edges of the platforms so students know where the edge is?

------------------------------
Daniel Davis
Orlando FL

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2019 09:07
From: Janetta Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

My coworker is using a raised (think 60 inches) platform for a middle school play. Where does she find regulations for schools about safety rails for  with height? She checked OSHA and several other regulators and found nothing. In our professional experience the only reg. we have heard of is for professional opera there must be temporary rails until dress rehearsals. This seems like it should be a regulated thing but she can't seem to find anything. Thanks

Janetta Davis

Columbus School for Girls

Hi,

There is a standard for prevention of Falls from Theatrical Stages and Raised Performance Platforms that addresses this issue.
The rails mentioned (guardrails) are addressed in the document including the required heights and strength as well as training performers
so that they may avoid stage edges.

Blocking students at height (and reflecting on their age and lack of experience) may be an unnecessary risk. Additionally, it should be determined if the platform described is adequately braced and built to hold the number of actors designated.

The ANSI standard (see link below) was created by the Entertainment Services and Technology Association and their Technical Standards Program. 
There are many such documents found on their website (esta.org)   

Fall Prevention Standard

The applicable OSHA references are contained therein. It should also be understood that local building codes could be applicable as well. 

Thanks,

Dana






------------------------------
Dana Taylor
Dana W. Taylor Consulting, LLC
Evansville IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2019 09:07
From: Janetta Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

My coworker is using a raised (think 60 inches) platform for a middle school play. Where does she find regulations for schools about safety rails for  with height? She checked OSHA and several other regulators and found nothing. In our professional experience the only reg. we have heard of is for professional opera there must be temporary rails until dress rehearsals. This seems like it should be a regulated thing but she can't seem to find anything. Thanks

Janetta Davis

Columbus School for Girls

In most cases, the "safety barrier" can be designed into the set so it looks like it belongs there, but this also a factor of how high the platforms are and why they're that high. Depending on the show and what the set is supposed to represent, I've used railings, furniture, and other items to delineate the edge of the stage.

The ANSI standard referenced by Dana above is very well thought-out and mentions actor blocking several times, as well as temporary railings until performance time. Well worth a read.

------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2019 11:10
From: Dana Taylor
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

Hi,

There is a standard for prevention of Falls from Theatrical Stages and Raised Performance Platforms that addresses this issue.
The rails mentioned (guardrails) are addressed in the document including the required heights and strength as well as training performers
so that they may avoid stage edges.

Blocking students at height (and reflecting on their age and lack of experience) may be an unnecessary risk. Additionally, it should be determined if the platform described is adequately braced and built to hold the number of actors designated.

The ANSI standard (see link below) was created by the Entertainment Services and Technology Association and their Technical Standards Program.
There are many such documents found on their website (esta.org)

Fall Prevention Standard

The applicable OSHA references are contained therein. It should also be understood that local building codes could be applicable as well.

Thanks,

Dana






------------------------------
Dana Taylor
Dana W. Taylor Consulting, LLC
Evansville IN

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2019 09:07
From: Janetta Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

My coworker is using a raised (think 60 inches) platform for a middle school play. Where does she find regulations for schools about safety rails for  with height? She checked OSHA and several other regulators and found nothing. In our professional experience the only reg. we have heard of is for professional opera there must be temporary rails until dress rehearsals. This seems like it should be a regulated thing but she can't seem to find anything. Thanks

Janetta Davis

Columbus School for Girls

No school theatre should be without a formal safety program. I agree, the ANSI documents are an invaluable resource. Also have a Safety Manual, a documented training program (for instance - look to your school's CTE Woodshop regulations), liability waivers (not that they stop parents from suing, but they show to the courts you informed the parents of the risks), posted safety signs stating policies and procedures, and so on.

You can find a free download about SAFETY IN THE HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE at presett.org/freedownloads.

------------------------------
Beth Rand, EBMS
Educational Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
www.PRESETT.org

- WANT TO PAY YOUR GUEST TECHNICIANS/ARTISTS MORE?! CHECK OUT THE NEW SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM (http:www.presett.org/theSTAGEGuild.html)

- HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS BOOKS (http://www.presett.org/helpful-books.html)
- ION, ELEMENT, EXPRESS & COLOR THEORY - ONLINE MINI COURSES
(http://www.presett.org/litt.html)
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- THE ECLECTECH SHOPPE (http://www.presett.org/eclectech.html)

beth@PRESETT.org
Westminster, CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2019 09:07
From: Janetta Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

My coworker is using a raised (think 60 inches) platform for a middle school play. Where does she find regulations for schools about safety rails for  with height? She checked OSHA and several other regulators and found nothing. In our professional experience the only reg. we have heard of is for professional opera there must be temporary rails until dress rehearsals. This seems like it should be a regulated thing but she can't seem to find anything. Thanks

Janetta Davis

Columbus School for Girls

Guard railings and hand railings (two different things!), it is typically the building codes that address the height above the ground where the railings are required.  Your local building code officials can tell you which code is adopted for your location, and from that you can look-up the hand railing requirements.  If the school has an architect on retainer, or you know an architect, they can help you find this information, too.

You need to know and understand many aspects of the railing design:

• Height of the top rail (as a minimum - taller can be helpful if you have tall lanky performers or technicians - the goal is to be above the center of gravity of a person).  This is also determined by the location of the railing in relation to the the direction of travel.
• Open space permissible between the top rail and any mid-rails (does the 4", 6", or 10" sphere rule apply).
• Where a toe-board (kick plate) is required and how tall it must be (typically 4").
• How much lateral force the railing must support (typically 250 pounds in any direction).
• What the minimum and maximum diameter of the horizontal railings must be (ADA rules generally guide this).
• What the maximum spacing between the vertical supports must be.

------------------------------
Erich Friend
Theatre Consultant
Teqniqal Systems
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2019 09:07
From: Janetta Davis
Subject: Platform handrail rules?

My coworker is using a raised (think 60 inches) platform for a middle school play. Where does she find regulations for schools about safety rails for  with height? She checked OSHA and several other regulators and found nothing. In our professional experience the only reg. we have heard of is for professional opera there must be temporary rails until dress rehearsals. This seems like it should be a regulated thing but she can't seem to find anything. Thanks

Janetta Davis

Columbus School for Girls