SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HS THEATRE TECH PROGRAM

Safety Manual and Practices

Safety Policy

SGPHS Theatre Tech believes that nothing we do in the name of theatre or entertainment is worth compromising someone’s safety or well-being.

SGPHS Theatre Tech attempts to maintain a safe theatre facility. This does not guarantee freedom from injury. The best form of safety lies in strict safety practices and procedures.

It is important that all students and staff recognize their obligation to conduct themselves in a safe manner.

Open Door Policy

Safety issues are of foremost consideration. Therefore SGPHS Theatre Tech encourages an “Open Door” policy on safety matters.

WHERE/HOW TO REPORT SAFETY HAZARD/COMPLAINT:

Tech Theatre Class’s report to instructor.Rehearsal/Production - report to Stage

Manager - Stage Manager reports to instructor.

Reports are verbal and should be done immediately if a safety hazard is present.

WHERE/HOW TO REPORT EMERGENCIES:

Report to instructor immediately.

Safety Materials and Information

I will be installing a safety bulletin board in the scene shop this year that will highlight safety guidelines and information.

FIRST AID:First Aid kits are

located in the J Wing Shop and in the Scene Shop. Both are in marked boxes.

Report all injuries to the instructor immediately, even if you believe it to be insignificant. All injuries must be treated and covered.

THE STRICT FOLLOWING OF ALL INJURY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IS REQUIRED

AND ESSENTIAL.

Policy on Injuries

Minor InjuriesRequiring Band-Aid

or ice pack.Report to instuctor

immediately.Care will be given in

accordance to the teacher’s guidelines.

(First aid kit or nurse visit)

Major Injuries

Notify instructor immediately.

The instructor will call 911 if needed.

The Instructor will determine plan based on the severity of the injury.

Instructor has received First Aid training.

The school nurse is on site during school hours.

DISCIPLINE FOR SAFETY INFRACTIONS:

Immediate referral and possible removal from this class:

Failure to follow behavioral expectations discussed in the Student Code of Conduct;

Unsafe behavior i.e.. improper use of tools, paint, brushes, rollers, etc.;

Disrupting other classes or students in active work areas;

Unauthorized absence from theater or workstation.

Not following safety procedures at all times.

Why?

Through these guidelines, it is my hope to provide a SAFE and productive environment for the students that are in my Technical Theatre classes.

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON EQUIPMENT ARE AUTHORIZED TO USE IT. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, SOUND EQUIPMENT, POWER TOOLS, HAND TOOLS AND LADDERS.

WORK WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING:

Using Gloves:Gloves will be used at

all times when using the fly system.

Gloves should also be used when handling lighting lamps.

Gloves must be worn when focusing instruments.

Light Crew:

All instruments must have a safety cable attached.

When using wrenches etc. to adjust instruments, make sure they are attached to a work belt.

Gloves must be worn when focusing instruments.

Costume Crew:

Hot glue guns are to be used in an open area and unplugged immediately after use.

STUDENT SAFETY TRAINING:

All students will receive safety training before using power tools etc.

All students in the tech theatre program must pass a safety test before they can participate in class projects.

GENERAL SAFETY AND WORK RULES:

FIRE PREVENTION: The theatre has extinguishers

that will extinguish all types of fires.

Fires rarely occur naturally. As a rule, personal

carelessness causes fires. Unfortunately, innocent people

suffer injury or death along with the careless individual.

By practicing fire prevention rules, you can help prevent injury to yourself and others.

Learn the locations of fire extinguishers in the theatre and shop.

Nothing shall be hung on fire extinguishers, and the area around them must be kept clear so that they may be reached without delay if fire breaks out.

No items shall be placed in the way of the fire curtain.

LADDERS: Maintain ladders in good

condition. Inspect ladders frequently. Keep rungs free of grease and oil. Face the ladder when ascending

or descending. Do not use the top step of an

ordinary ladder as a step. One person must stand at the

bottom of the ladder when the ladder is in use.

Remove damaged or defectively constructed ladders from use.

Don’t place ladders where they can be accidentally struck or displaced.

Don’t place planks on top (cap) of stepladders.

Don’t use metal ladders for electrical work or near live electrical parts.

Don’t use a ladder without the permission of the instructor.

PROTECTIVE GEAR:

The theatre shop space carries safety glasses, dust masks and gloves for use. Anyone working with power tools or in the work area of power tools must use safety goggles at all times.

Eye & Face Protection:Eye protection is required where there is an inherent risk of eye injury from flying particles, injurious chemicals or harmful light rays.

Body Protection:Be sure clothing is safe and suitable for shop work. Remove or fasten any loose clothing. Roll long or loose sleeves above the elbows. Keep hair away from equipment in operation. Long hair must be tied back. Jewelry is not to be worn while you are working in the shop. ID’s must be off while using power tools.

PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES: Squat from the knees, never

bend from the waist. Keep spine straight, tuck your

chin. Keep feet comfortably

spread...about shoulder width.

Keep load close to your body. Never twist while carrying

any load...no matter how light.

Seek assistance in moving any heavy or bulky item.

Never drag items across the floor or stage.

PERSONAL SAFETY PRACTICES Student must develop good

safety habits; they are for your protection and the protection of others.

When in doubt, ask your instructor. Do not depend upon the advice of another student.

Caution other students if you see a violation of a safety practice and report the violation to the instructor immediately.

Disturbing another student while he is working is a dangerous practice. Stay out of active work areas.

A student who sees a dangerous situation must report it to the instructor at once.

Dry your hand completely before touching electrical switches, plugs or receptacles.

Safety Continued Playing, running, and throwing

objects are dangerous practices in any shop and are forbidden at all times.

Spilled liquids on floors are slippery and dangerous. Clean them up at once.

Keep floors, aisles, and passageways clear of stock, tools, and materials.

Never use chairs or desks for climbing or standing. Use ladders only.

Keep all storage areas clean, neat, and free of unused materials. All heavy items should be kept on lower shelves.

Keep cords (electrical, phone, etc.) out of walkways.

Inspect all electrical apparatus in use in each room to ensure good operating condition. Look for frayed cords, broken plugs, exposed wires, and broken or cracked housings.

Report any broken items to the instructor and do not try to repair them on your own.

HAND TOOLS AND HAND TOOL SAFETY ARE TOO OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED. HAMMERS, KNIVES, WRENCHES, FILES, SCREWDRIVERS, SAWS, AND SUCH TOOLS ARE OFTEN SO CASUALLY TREATED THAT THEIR DANGER IS NOT REALIZED.

NO ONE IS TO USE ANY TOOLS WITHOUT RECEIVING PROPER INSTRUCTION. IF ANY TOOL SEEMS BROKEN OR UNSAFE, NOTIFY TOOL MANAGER, STAGE MANAGER OR INSTRUCTOR.

TOOL SAFETY:

GENERAL HAND TOOL SAFETY PRACTICES: The proper use of tools, machines,

and materials is necessary to prevent accidents in the shop.

When using machines or hand tools, give the job at hand all your attention.

The motion involved in striking or cutting must be done away from oneself and other student. (Defined work areas)

Sharp, pointed tools or materials are not to be carried in clothing. Cover sharp edges. Hold sharp points down.

Immediately report to the instructor all breakage or damage to tools, machinery, or equipment.

Screws, nails and other foreign objects found in the school shop are never to be placed in one’s mouth.

Report to the instructor or crew head, any equipment that does not work properly.

Do not tamper with equipment. Service and maintenance may be only be done by the instructor.

Basic Hand Tool Rules:

Be sure your hands are as free as possible of dirt, grease, and oil when using tools.

Use the proper type and size of hand tool. Make sure that the tools you are going to use are sharp and in good

condition. Use edged or pointed tools with special care. Be sure, when using a sharp-edged tool, to point the edge away from

yourself and your classmates. Keep tools and materials from projecting over the edges of benches. Firmly hold or clamp all work in a vise. Use a brush to clean chips, shavings, or scraps from a bench. Wear safety glasses when chipping or cutting with a cold chisel.

Arrange your work so that classmates are protected from flying chips. Pass tools to others with the handles first.

HAMMERS Use the proper type and size of

hammer for the job. When hammering machined, tempered,

or hardened surfaces, use a soft-faced hammer such as rawhide, lead or copper.

Check to see that the hammer head is not damaged, and that it is securely attached to the handle. The handle must be firm and free from cracks or splinters.

Before using a hammer, make sure that your hands and the handle are dry.

Do not choke a hammer. Grip it near the end of the handle and use a normal swing.

SCREWDRIVERS:

Use a screwdriver of the correct size and shape for the job.

Be sure the blade is in good condition. If it is not, check with your instructor.

Never hold the work in your hand while using a screwdriver.

Clamp small work on the bench or secure in a vise when driving screws.

Screwdrivers are not to be used as chisels or as pry bars.

Never use pliers on a screwdriver to increase the twist.

HAND SAWS: Select the proper saw for the job to be

done. Clear the work area before sawing.

Make sure that the material to be sawed is well supported.

Saws jump out of the cut when improperly engaged or forced. Start cut on the back stroke. Move free hand away after the cut is started.

When finished with a saw, place it so that no one can accidentally brush against the teeth. When saws are not in use, hang them up in their proper places.

Watch your saw and your work. When nearing the end of a cut, ease up on the pressure and stroke.

WRENCHES: Use a wrench big enough for

the job. Never get added leverage by slipping a piece of pipe over the handle.

When using adjustable wrenches, pull toward the movable jaw. The pressure will then be against the stationary jaw.

Jaws on all wrenches must fit snugly around the bold or nut.

Never apply a wrench to moving machinery. Do not leave a wrench where it can cause injury to you or others.

BASIC MACHINERY

MACHINE SAFETY PRACTICES:

You must be trained each piece of equipment before you can use it. Obtain permission from your teacher before using any power

equipment. Check adjustments on machines before turning on the power. Make sure that all the other students are clear of the machine

before turning on the power. Keep all machine safety guards in correct position. Start your own machine and remain with it until you have turned it

off and it has come to a complete stop. Stay clear of machines being operated by others. When a machine does not seem to work properly, turn it off and

notify the instructor. Special precautions should be taken when working with short pieces

of stock. Always wear safety goggles when using power saws or sanders.

DRILL MOTORS, ROUTERS AND BELT SANDERS ARE ALL EXAMPLES OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY. MISUSE OF THESE MACHINES CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH BY ELECTROCUTION. THE FOLLOWING SAFETY PRACTICES ARE COMMON TO ALL THE MACHINES MENTIONED ABOVE.

PORTABLE ELECTRICAL MACHINES:

Portable Power Tool Safety Rules:

Obtain permission from the teacher before starting any of the machines.

Always make sure the power switch is in the OFF position before connecting the cord to the power source.

Report any mechanical defect to the teacher at once.

Keep the electric motor, cord, and plug dry at all times.

Coil up the cord and return the machine to its holder when finished. Loose dangling cords can be dangerous.

Report any frayed cords to the instructor.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC DRILL MOTOR:

Portable electric drill motors come in several sizes. Most electric drill motors have a safety switch. This switch is designed to insure automatic power cutoff when the trigger is released.

Do not tamper with the switch provided by the manufacturer. If the drill motor has a switch-locking feature, use it only as instructed.

Remove the chuck key immediately after tightening or removing a twist drill or power bit from the chuck.

Apply straight and steady pressure on the drill motor. Do not ram or weave. This practice breaks the twist drill power bits and may cause injury to the operator.

Ease up on feed pressure as the drill or bit emerges from the work.

PORTABLE JIGSAW (SABRE SAW): Switch on the saw before the

blade comes in contact with the work, except when inside cuts are made.

Turn off the switch and wait until all the action stops before removing the saw blade from an unfinished cut.

Let the blade cut at its own rate of speed; do not force the tool.

Always avoid sideways pressure on the blade when cutting.

When cutting bevels, relief cuts, or sharp curves, use a slow feed.

The shoe or sole should always be kept in contact with the work.

Never reach under the material being cut.

Do not cut cylindrical stock unless properly clamped and checked by your instructor.

When you are through cutting, turn off the switch. Do not put the saw down until the motor stops.

PORTABLE SAW (Circular Saw): Always wear safety glasses when operating a portable saw or are in the work

area. With the saw switch off and the saw disconnected from the power source, make

sure that the blade is in good shape and is the proper type for the work to be done. check to see that the blade is tight.

Check to see that the retractable blade guard is functioning properly before connecting the saw to the power source. Never tie back or remove the blade guard.

Make all adjustments with power off and with saw disconnected from the power supply.

Keep the electrical cord clear of the cutting operation. Make sure that the material to be cut is firmly supported and free of any foreign

materials. Bring the saw blade up to the desired point of cut, back up slightly, and start the

motor. When full speed is reached, advance the saw through the work. Do not force the saw. Always cut in a straight line.

Never reach underneath the material being cut. Stand to one side of the cut. When the saw is through the cut, release the switch. Wait until the blade stops

before setting the saw down. Disconnect the saw from the power source.