Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1996 - 25

on the truss. Howerer, since roof trusses in many renues have proven too low to al10\1' the R.E.~1. rig to be flO\m out to trim when the motors are located tlus high
aboye the truss. the extender slings are sometimes omitted, lowering the lifeline to
tllree feet above the truss. Thjs 100yer lifeline height, while still proviiling adequate
safety, increases the free-fall ilistance, :U1d is inconyenient for workers on tlle truss,
getting in their way as they more :U1d work.
It should be noted that while this horizontal lifeline system, designed by Stage
Rigging Inc. for use on suspended lighting trusses, is :tI'guably tlle best m'ailable
right now, it is still in development. Research into refinements and better solutions
are on-going. Drop tests of dummy weights have raised some questions about exactly how the fall forces interact \\~th the lighting truss. For instance, it has been
noticed that the force created by a falljng weight deflects inward the flexible vertical
truss supports (the roundslings, motor chains :tIld slings), which in turn jerks the
truss ends upward :tIld inward. This motion can be potentially dangerous on long
trusses wluch have intermediate pickups: raising the end pickups will unload the
middle pickups, possibly resulting in truss-span overloading.
Attempts to computel~model and calculate how a truss is stressed by the fall
forces on a horizontal lifeline anchored to flexible truss suspension points has
proven velY ilifficult due to the large number of v:tl'iables involved. Stage Rigging
Inc. :tIld truss manufacturer Tomcat SA are currently developing a rigid lifeline
:lI1chorage system that substantially reduces the variables. 111 l\ovember, 1995 at
Lighting Dimensions 111lernational (WI) in Mi:tlni a prototype tripod device was
displayed. By the end of 1996, following more testing :tIld refinement, a truss lifeline system using these rigid tripod anchorages should be available.
For a discussion of tllese :tIld other horizontal lifeline design issues, see "Design Considerations for H0l1zontal Lifelines .. on page 64.

In Rocky Paulson's capacity as a rigging consult:tlll, he
often answers questions about OSHA COmpli:tllce. Here
are a few of the most commonly asked questions about
general compliance, :tIld also about the use of harnesses.

4-FOOT
WEBBING
LANYARO WITH
INTEGRAL SHOO<

ABSORBER
ATTACHED TO
DORSAL

HARNESS
O-RING

FULL-BOD Y HARNESS

FULL-BODY HARNESS

FRONT

BACK

O-RINGS ON THE FRONT CAN BE

USED FOR WORK POSITIONING,
BUT ONLY THE BAO< DORSAL
O-RING CAN BE USED FOR FALL

PROTECTION.

Full-Body
Harness

ford equal or grealer protection to the worker Ih:tll the Federal stantles for them to
qUaJj~T to take Ihe place of the Federal program. As an exanlple Call1ornia has its own
progr:tlll referred to as Cal-OSHA. Washjngton Stale has its own, known as WISHA.

Q: Is tbe Entertainment Industl:)' considered "Genera/lndustlf' 01' "Construction
Q: Does Federal OSHA app(), to employers 01' employees in tbe entertainment industl]'?
A: OSHA protects all workers in all industries in the
Lnited States.
P:tI1191O, "Occupational safety and heaJtll sl:tlld:tl·ds,"
applies to all places of employment \\itll some exceptions:
I. OSHA allows that certain industries have unique
problems :tIld has written laws regarding worker protection specifically for those industries. An ex:tlllple is "Part
1926-Safety and health regulations for construction:'
At a construction site, Part 1910 would apply except
where there was a conllict between it and Part 1926. If
there is a conllict, Part 1926 takes precedence.
2. States can adopt :tIld administer their own
worker protection programs. These programs must af-

IndustIf'?
A: According to a Cal-OSHA offiCial, it depends on tlle namre of the work being performed. One of the guidelines they use is tllat if there is painting involved, then it is usually a construction activity. r hen asked specifically about a touring rock show, his
opinion was tllat since it was repetitive acti\ity from city to city, it \yould be considered
General Induslly.

Q: \l7bo mnst proVideJail protection Jor I/'orkers? Can an employer e.\pect an employee to take care ojbis ol/'n JaIl protection?

A: The employer must provide fall protection for his employees.
PART 1910 - Subpart I - Personal protective equipment. (7/1193)
§ 1910.132 General requirements.
(a) AjJplication. Prolective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, :lI1d extremities, protective c1othjng, respiratOly devices, and protective shields :tIld barriers, shall be provided, used and
TD&T

WINTER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1996