The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ensures that employees in all fields are guaranteed safe working environments by creating health and safety specifications that must be met for the workplace. OSHA also provides education, training, outreach and assistance.
Theater rigging equipment is often highly technical and can pose a threat if not operated properly. As a result, OSHA has detailed regulations and requirements for their usage.
Finding OSHA's Theater Rigging Provisions
OSHA's regulations for theater rigging can be found under the 1926 section of the "Safety and Healthy Regulation for Construction," subpart R. The title of the subpart is "Steel Erection" with the standard number 1926.753 and chapter "Hoisting and Rigging". This can be found on OSHA's website or by calling their toll free number, 1-800-321-6742. If you call, the process will be expedited if you have the above information on hand.
Inspection Provisions Before Rigging
A competent person must make an inspection of the hoisting cranes before rigging. Any deficiency must be determined by the inspector to be a hazard, and if it is, the hoisting equipment cannot be used until the problem is corrected. If, and when, there are no deficiencies or hazards, a qualified rigger must make their own inspection, ensuring that the equipment is used as intended and making sure all safety latches are activated.
Read More: Types of OSHA Inspections
Multiple Lift Rigging Procedures
Additional guidelines are provided for multiple lift rigging procedures. A multiple lift can only be performed if the proper lift rigging gear is assembled, no more than five members are hoisted per lift, only beams or the like are lifted, anyone being lifted has been adequately trained.
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Writer Bio
Lucia Davis has been writing professionally since 2009, and her work has been featured in "EQUITIES Magazine" and "The Foothills Paper." She graduated from Scripps College with a self-designed economics degree.