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Is there any written rules/laws/information that states how often and who should inspect a counter weight theatre system.  I'm pretty sure the one in my school has never been checked by an outside source and it's almost 40 years old, but I need material to support getting it inspected.

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Cassandra Conley
Newton KS
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Hi Cassandra There are no "laws" regarding theatrical rigging systems, but there are ANSI standards. I am a member of the PLASA Technical Standards Program Rigging Working Group, which is the group responsible for writing and reviewing these standards on a quarterly basis. Thanks to a sponsorship from Prosight Specialty Insurance, ANSI standards pertaining to entertainment technology can be downloaded for free at http://tsp.plasa.org/tsp/documents/published_docs.php The current standard that would apply to your question is E1.4-2014 - Entertainment Technology - Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems, and the section that applies is as follows: 5.2.2 Regular inspection 5.2.2.1 Installed systems shall be inspected annually or more frequently, as determined by a qualified person, per the manufacturer's recommendations and local code requirements. 5.2.2.2 Inspection procedures and results shall be fully documented and the inspection documentation shall be retained by the owner. We are currently working on a standard for the actual inspections (BSR E1.47), but there is currently no specific document that says what exactly should be inspected and how it should be reported. As for who to call, I would recommend contacting an ETCP Certified Entertainment Rigger. Certified riggers represent the top tier of rigging specialists in the industry. Some of us do inspections and some do not, but any certified rigger who inspects your space will be able to let you know what (if any) problems you have and how bad they may be. The style of rigging report will differ from inspector to inspector. To ensure that you are getting the type of inspection and report that will be of value to you, my advice would be to request a copy of a previous inspection report for a space similar to yours. I am happy to send you a copy of one of my reports if you like - please send me the request off-list. ETCP Certified Riggers can be located through the online database at: http://etcp.plasa.org/cert_technicians/search.php In your state, I see two theatre riggers, one in Manhattan and one in Leawood. I know the guy in Manhattan (teaches at Kansas State as well) and he is very thorough, but I am not sure if he does inspections. I hope the info was helpful. I apologize for the long post, but I wanted to make sure you had all the right answers. All my best. ------------------------------------------- Tracy Nunnally Owner/President DeKalb IL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 07-10-2014 15:12 From: Cassandra Conley Subject: counter weight inspections Is there any written rules/laws/information that states how often and who should inspect a counter weight theatre system. I'm pretty sure the one in my school has never been checked by an outside source and it's almost 40 years old, but I need material to support getting it inspected. ------------------------------------------- Cassandra Conley Newton KS -------------------------------------------Send <javascript:WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions(new%20WebForm_PostBackOptions(%22ctl00$MainCopy$ctl01$BtnSave$CSSLinkButton1%22,%20%22%22,%20true,%20%22MessageValidate%22,%20%22%22,%20false,%20true))>

Unfortunately, there is not a specific legal requirement for stage rigging systems to be inspected in most states. OSHA does NOT address this, and for most non-State Plan OSHA states this is a moot point as OSHA does not apply to public schools (it does, however, apply to private schools). That said, there are numerous state laws that obliquely address the subject of 'Safe Schools'. They are largely read as applying to school buses, anti-drug, anti-bullying, and anti-guns, but if you read them objectively, it is quite possible that they can be interpreted as meaning a safe place for the students, which inherently includes the school stage. The most compelling argument you can make is by asking simple questions: Would the School District expect to purchase a School Bus and use it for 40 years without ever inspecting or maintaining it? Would the School District allow students (or employees, or guests) to ride in that school bus? A stage rigging system suspends hundreds, maybe thousands, of pounds of hard metal equipment above the students (and employees and guests) heads. If anything comes lose or breaks it can severely injure or kill those persons that might be under it. This does happen and it is messy (both to clean-up, and from a legal perspective). If the system is 40 years old, I can almost guarantee you that there are unsafe elements. Technology has changed, user needs have changed, safety awareness has changed, and liability exposure has changed. It is likely that the schools Risk Manager (the person that deals with the school's insurance companies) could find the funding for an inspection if they were shown the equipment and had it explained to them how it works. If they can't see the obvious dangers, then they shouldn't be a Risk Manager. We spend all of our careers in the theatre making magic and hiding the reality form everyone. This part of the process MUST be exposed to the caretakers (maintenance, administration, insurance companies). Please contact me if I can be of further assistance. Attached are some documents that make good reading. ------------------------------------------- Erich Friend Theatre Consultant Teqniqal Systems
Original Message: Sent: 07-10-2014 15:12 From: Cassandra Conley Subject: counter weight inspections Is there any written rules/laws/information that states how often and who should inspect a counter weight theatre system. I'm pretty sure the one in my school has never been checked by an outside source and it's almost 40 years old, but I need material to support getting it inspected. ------------------------------------------- Cassandra Conley Newton KS -------------------------------------------Send <javascript:WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions(new%20WebForm_PostBackOptions(%22ctl00$MainCopy$ctl01$BtnSave$CSSLinkButton1%22,%20%22%22,%20true,%20%22MessageValidate%22,%20%22%22,%20false,%20true))>

Counterweight systems are to be inspected every year by a "qualified person". Who is qualified is a matter of interpretation. An ETCP certified rigger is definitely qualified, as are most rigging companies. Since the possibility of death or serious injury is present, I would always err on the side of safety and hire a true pro to inspect my system every year. ------------------------------------------- Victor Pilolla River Grove IL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 07-10-2014 15:12 From: Cassandra Conley Subject: counter weight inspections Is there any written rules/laws/information that states how often and who should inspect a counter weight theatre system. I'm pretty sure the one in my school has never been checked by an outside source and it's almost 40 years old, but I need material to support getting it inspected. ------------------------------------------- Cassandra Conley Newton KS -------------------------------------------Send

JR Clancy does rigging inspections and even has a fee waiver program if the system is in a school and cannot afford the retail cost.  Inspection includes an ETCP certified rigger looking over your system, a recommendation on any needed repairs and 4 hours of instruction for up to 8 people, adults or students.

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James Auld
Technical Director
Las Virgenes Unified School District
Agoura Hills CA
ETCP Certified Rigger - Arena
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-11-2014 21:01
From: Victor Pilolla
Subject: counter weight inspections


Counterweight systems are to be inspected every year by a "qualified person". Who is qualified is a matter of interpretation. An ETCP certified rigger is definitely qualified, as are most rigging companies. Since the possibility of death or serious injury is present, I would always err on the side of safety and hire a true pro to inspect my system every year.

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Victor Pilolla
River Grove IL
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