Safety Guide
University of Minnesota, Morris

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In the event of serious injury or illness, fire, explosion, disorder or any emergency where immediate assistance is required, dial ext. 6000 from 8:00AM to 4:30PM or after 4:30PM, weekends and holidays dial 9-589-1155 on any campus telephone (a UMM Police Dispatcher is on duty at all times.) The nearest phone to the scene shop is upstairs, in the drafting/conference room. There is usually a wireless telephone in the shop.
Any injury or accident occurring within the Theatre must be reported immediately to the faculty or a staff member in charge.
Injury or illness involving a student should be treated at the Student Health Center or at the medical facility (and/or a physician designated by the student; injury or illness involving an employee of County Memorial Hospital or at the medical facility (and/or physician) requested by the employee.
A fully stocked and properly maintained First Aid kit must be available in Scene Shop or stage work areas. First Aid care of minor injuries should never be neglected.

GENERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS
Running, practical jokes ("horseplay") throwing tools or materials, jumping off of props or from one level to another, or activities, which endanger either the individual or others, are not permitted within the Theatre.
Good housekeeping is essential with all Theatre operations! At the end of each work period, the shop, stagehouse or other work areas shall be left in a safe condition. All tools should be returned to the tool room, floors swept and trash emptied, and walkways and exits left clear must be eliminated.
Open traps, unusable platforms or step units must be barricaded (fenced or roped off) or covered and should be conspicuously identified at all times between work periods.
The shop will be considered closed and no work undertaken unless there is a faculty or staff member present and acting as supervisor.

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Hard-soled shoes should be worn while working in the scene shop. Going bare-footed or wearing sandals is not acceptable.
Goggles, a face shield, (non-corrective) safety glasses, or heat-treated prescription glasses shall be worn while using power tools or equipment.
Loose fitting clothing or jewelry shall not be worn while using power equipment. Long hair must be tied back or otherwise secured. Long sleeve shirts should be either buttoned at the cuffs or rolled to the upper arm.
Books, clothing, and other personal property should not be left in the shop during work periods. These items, along with any valuables, should be locked in the scene shop lockers (in rest rooms) or in the personal lockers provided on the lower level of the Humanities Fine Arts building.

MACHINERY & POWER TOOLS
No one is permitted to operate machinery or use a power tool without authorization and unless they have been checked out in its safe operation by the Technical Director or his designated assistant.
Understand the application, limitations, and potential hazards of any power tool or machine you use.
Select the proper power tool for the job to be done. Don't improvise!
Ground all power tools (unless they are doubled insulated.) If the power tool is equipped with a 3-prong plug, it must be plugged into a 3-hold outlet. If an adapter is used to accommodate a 2-hol receptacle, the adapter wire must be attached to a known ground.
Remove adjusting keys and wrenches before turning on a tool or machine; never adjust, change bits, blades, cutters or belts with the power tool connected to electrical service. This means turning the machine off is insufficient. It must be unplugged.
Keep the work area free of clutter and be alert to potential hazards such as wet floors, flammable vapors, inattentive persons in the area, etc. Never over-reach and always maintain proper footing and a secure grip on the tool you are using.
Keep the guards in place and in working order and never remove or circumvent a guard or protective device. Use safety eye or face protection. Wear safety glasses with side shields and impact goggles or full face shields.
Dress properly and avoid loose clothing or long hair that can catch in moving parts or air vents.
Avoid accidental start-up by making sure that the switch is off before plugging in the cord or when power is interrupted. Never carry power tool with your finger on the switch!
Make sure saw blades, drill bits, router cutters, etc., and are sharp, clean and properly maintained. Use only recommended accessories, which are designed for use with a power tool or machine by its manufacturer.
Never brush away chips of sawdust or attempt to clean with your hands or with a rag while machines or tools are operating.
Use a push stick when material is close to cutting blade.
Compress air should not be used to clean or blow down machinery or other surfaces except when the area had been completely cleared and the operator is wearing full eye protection. Air used for this purpose must never exceed 30 p.s.i.!
All saws should be adjusted before use to expose only the minimum amount of blade necessary. The fingers and hands must be kept clear of the blade at all times!
Use clamps or vises to hold work in place and never force a power tool.
Never surprise, touch, or talk to anyone who is operating a power tool or machinery.
Never leave a machine running unattended.
Do not attempt field repairs on tools or machinery. Return any tool for servicing that shows any defect or that is not operating properly.
Return tools to the tool room after completing work, and clean the area you were working in. Do not expect someone to clean up your mess for you.

LADDERS
Before any ladder is used, it should be inspected to assure that it is in a safe condition.
Wood ladders should not be painted because paint hides splits and defects (shellac or varnish are acceptable alternatives.)
Non-skid safety feet should be installed on any straight ladder before it is placed in service.
The base of a straight ladder should rest on a level surface and should be placed so that the distance away from the wall or surface against which it leans is approximately one quarter the length of the ladder.
Straight ladders should be tied off, blocked or otherwise secured when used.
A step- ladder should not be used as a substitute for a straight ladder. A step- ladder should always be completely opened and climbed only on the side with the steps. Never stand or work from the top of a stepladder!
When using the Highjacker (mechanical platform) make sure the power cables are clear of the tracks when lowering or raising.
After use, ladders should be returned to proper storage.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Do not use any defective or questionable electrical tool, cord, connection or accessory. Immediately report any shortcoming for repair or replacement and make certain that hazardous equipment is adequately identified and removed form service.
During rehearsals and performances, electrical lines running along the stage floor should be taped or otherwise secured to prevent tripping.
Use only heavy-duty U.L. listed extension cords of proper wire size and length.
Only authorized personnel who have received formal instruction in the operation of the dimmer boards and patch panels are permitted to work with this equipment.
Any incident of electrical shock--no matter how slight-- must be reported for immediate correction to the faculty or staff member in charge.

FIRE PROTECTION-LIFE SAFETY
Theater Fires- an historical note: The special emphasis placed on fire protection within the theater stems from two separate disasters in the country during the past century or so. The first of these fire tragedies involved the Brooklyn Theatre in New York on December 5, 1876, where 295 people perished as a result of a fire and its attendant panic. During the final act of "The Two Orphans," a canvas backdrop broke from its fastenings and dangled over an oil lamp along the border of the stage. The canvas caught fire and spread rapidly when it was raised too fast and was fanned by a roof ventilator. The inadequate number of exits and the panic, which this caused, accounted for the tragic loss of life in this, the first of several major theatre fires in America.
Twenty-eight years later, the worst theatre fire in the history of the American stage ravaged the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago. This occurred on the night of December 30, 1903, when 602 theatre patrons perished in a fire that lasted approximately 15 minutes.
The Iroquois was billed as being "Absolutely Fire-proof" and had been open only five weeks before this tragedy occurred. The fire started when a combustible stage drape came into contact with a powerful spotlight. The greatly over capacity audience viewed the initial progress of the fire along the drapery with relatively little alarm. But this initial calmness and order was instantly shattered when the drapery and props crashed to the stage causing flames to leap out into the audience from under the half- lowered asbestos curtain. This circumstance, along with the simultaneous failure of the theatre lights threw the crowd into an uncontrolled panic, which resulted in this unprecedented loss of life.
These two fires are primarily responsible for the modern-day emphasis on "Life-Safety" within the theatre: audience capacities, automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems, exit standards and illumination, fire equipment, etc.
All theatre personnel should familiarize themselves with the location and operation of fire extinguishers, fire hose stations and fire alarms.
Faculty and staff members in charge of productions should satisfy themselves that all emergency lights and fire protection equipment and facilities are in working order and that designated personnel are assigned the responsibility and understand the operation of the asbestos curtain. The smoke vent system, emergency communications, and the use of fire extinguishers and house lines (fire hoses.)
All fire fighting equipment must be maintained clear and unobstructed at all times.
Smoking is permitted only in areas specifically designated for this purpose. Smoking is not permitted on stage or in the scene shop.
Highly volatile solvents such as acetone must be stored and dispensed only form approved-type cans and accessories (bench and swab cans, dip tanks.)
Flammables such as paint, thinners, paint spray cans, etc., are to be stored in the paint storage room. This is a fire containment area, and the door must be kept closed. All rags or cloth materials which have become saturated with flammable paints, oils, thinners or other flammable solvents must be discarded in UL-FM approved, oily waste cans with automatic self-closing lids.
Open flames are not permitted on stage unless specifically approved by the Theatre faculty member who is in charge of the production and then only when adequately enclosed and safeguarded.
No welding or acetylene cutting or brazing shall take place within any building unless a "Fire Watch" equipped with an approved type fire extinguisher is stationed in the immediate are of welding activity. Welding and related flame operations are not permitted within 35' of any combustible material.
Electric light bulbs must not be covered or decorated with paper or other combustible material.
Spray painting with combustible paints should be performed in an approved-type spray booth (the paint storage room.) Smoking, open flames, and arcing motors or switches are prohibited in the area of spraying operations.
Exits and access to exits are to be kept uncluttered and unobstructed at all times! During periods of occupancy, no exit door shall be locked, bolted, fastened or obstructed by any means so that the door cannot be readily opened from the inside.
No exit light shall be covered or its brightness or visibility reduced during a performance or when the theatre is occupied.

COUNTERWEIGHTS AND RIGGING
At the beginning of each work period in which rigging is to be done, appropriate safety procedures will be explained to the entire crew.
Work should be arranged so that all rigging and flying are done together. No other work will take place on stage at these times.
When an arbor is being loaded, unloaded, or when a piece is coming in, there will be a complete silence on stage.
Only the Technical Director or crew head may call instructions to the grid crew. The Technical Director should inform both the grid and stage crew before a batten or piece is pulled is pulled in or out.
If you discover any irregularity in a cable, rope or the counterweight system, report it immediately to the faculty member or staff member in charge. Any repairs or modifications to a system must be checked and approved by the Technical Director.
A counter weight set must be left in a balance position. This means neither "batten heavy" nor "arbor heavy" beyond control of a single operator. If it is impossible to balance a set, a checkline and the condition of the set labeled accordingly should supplement the lock.
A 10 lb. Weight should not be placed on the top of the stacked weights in an arbor. A 20 lb. or heavier weight should always be tightened after removing or adding weights.
The security fastener on the arbor should always be tightened after removing or adding weights.
When not in use, every counterweight set should be locked off with the locking rings in place.
Counterweights that are not in use on either the stage floor or loading platform must be neatly arranged. They must never be stacked above the toe rail height of the loading platform.
When rigging pipes, battens and other flying pieces with a rope (or wire rope), secure the piece with a clove hitch (see below) finished with a half hitch and tape.

When hanging scenery or goods, the load should be attached to the batten before the arbor is loaded. When striking scenery or goods, the arbor should be unloaded before the load is removed from the batten.
Pipe extensions to battens must be securely taped, lashed or wedged into the batten. There should always be at least 3' of pipe extension inside the batten. Long weight-bearing extensions must be bridled to the batten.
When not in use, every batten must be stripped of hardware, extensions, hemp, or other attachments and accessories.
Stage-house rigging must be checked and approved by a faculty or staff member before use.

GRID
NOTE: The grid is approximately 6 1/2 stories above the stage floor. Any tool or piece of equipment striking and individual from that height would likely result in a fatal injury.
Tool brought onto the grid must be tied or secured to the worker. Pockets should be emptied before going onto the grid.
Tools, hardware, shims, etc. must never be left loose on the grid.
Dead-hung masking or scenery should be lowered or raised with the batten parallel to the stage floor, never tipped.
Ropes or electrical lines must never be dropped to the stage floor from the grid. They should be pulled up, coiled, and carried down.
The correct call to warn of a batten, piece, or line coming in under control, is "Head!" The emergency call for dropping object is "Clear!" It is responsibility of the crew heads that all persons working on stage understand these calls.