Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2008 - 28

before and

After the fall

OSHA concept 2
Fall protection is a unified system.
Once designed and in place, the entire fall protection system,
from the harness all the way back through every piece of hardware to the anchorage, is considered as the personal protective
equipment (PPE) that mitigates the identified hazard. In this
way it is no different from a PPE like a respirator used to mitigate a toxic fume hazard.
Fall protection in an OSHA-governed workplace is not just
an assembly of OSHA-approved parts but it is a holistic construct of identified hazards, mitigation, engineered mechanical
systems, manufacturer's operating procedures, maintenance,
training, etc. Each of these elements is vitally important to the
safe use of the PPE. The central goal of assuring survival in case
of falls can only be met when all the parts of the system-hardware components and procedures-are working properly.

OSHA concept 3
Complete and thorough documentation
is an effective pathway to assuring
safety.
When you think about it, thorough documentation is a worthy concept. A workplace that has diligently documented every aspect of its fall protection program from system design
to equipment maintenance to user training is most likely a
workplace that cares about every link in the safety chain.
Conversely, it is much likelier that a workplace with little
documentation in place is using an ad hock lifelines system,
irregularly inspects harnesses, has casual training, and nonexistent user protocols for system use. The discipline of establishing and maintaining paperwork encourages (but can't
guranatee) the implementation of all the elements of a fall
protection system.
Unfortunately, OSHA does not always wield its enforcement powers in a proactive manner. OSHA rarely, if ever, patrols our entertainment worksites like the cop on the beat.
Pyro effects require a preshow review of paperwork and in
some jurisdictions flame retardance certificates are routinely
inspected, but let's face it, fall protection documentation is
only inspected in the event of a fall fatality.

Steps toward OSHA compliance
Full implementation of an OSHA-compliant fall protection system requires an understanding of the applicable OSHA standards and the legal interpretations of those regulations. Here
are some steps and procedures an employer can follow toward
full compliance.
Identify fall hazards. Identify all fall hazards through
a workplace audit that results in a written report. This audit
should be performed by a competent person.
Mitigate fall hazards. Develop a plan to mitigate all the
identified fall hazards. Eliminate as many as possible through
methods other than fall protection. Some examples include installing railings, catwalks, or wire grids, and designing work so
it can be performed from lifts or elevated platforms. In some
respects, fall protection can be thought of as an admission of
design failure. The installation of fall protection should not be
considered as an alternative to the safe and correct design of a
safe workplace.

2008

theatre

design

technology

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2008