HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES

In order to reproduce a near to professional work environment, the School is committed to following and promoting industry related Occupational Health and Safety guidelines. These come from a variety of sources and include:

• Safety Guidelines for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA),Construction Projects Regulation and Industrial Establishments Regulation
• Performance at the Creative School policies on Safety Shoes, Hard hats, Harnesses, Firearms, Live Flame, Counterweight Loading, and Scissor – lift operation, Stage Combat

APPLICATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS

Within the live performance industry, both the Construction Projects Regulation (O. Reg 213/91) and the Industrial Establishments Regulation (Regulation 851) apply to the work depending on the work activities.

The Staff Supervisor is responsible for identifying when and where the Construction Projects Regulation applies during work in the loading dock, onstage, backstage and in the seating area of each theatre. (The Industrial Establishments Regulation applies at all other times.)

During a work day, both regulations may apply. Students must bring their personal protective equipment (PPE) to all calls.

Application of the Construction Projects Regulation

• The Construction Projects Regulation applies to all construction projects as defined by the OHSA. Examples of when the Construction Projects Regulation applies to a live performance include: load-ins or take-ins (fit-ups, set-ups), lighting hangs, load-outs or take-outs (tear-downs and strikes).
• All persons are required to wear (PPE) at all times including, but not limited to:
• Mandatory head protection (hard hat) and foot protection (safety shoes/boots)
• As applicable based on hazards: high visibility vest, fall protection, eye protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, gloves etc.
• PPE must comply with the School’s Safety Shoe, Hard Hat and Harness policies, as well as departmental policies.
• The mandatory use of PPE, as applicable, remains in force until the Staff Supervisor determines that all areas have been made safe and the risk of injury no longer exists.

Application of the Industrial Establishments Regulation

• The Industrial Establishments Regulation applies to all industrial establishments as defined by the OHSA. The requirements in the Industrial Establishments Regulation apply to more predictable, stable, repetitive work activities found in scenery, properties or costume shops, in lighting focus sessions, rehearsals, performances, scene changes, changeovers, etc.
• Every person exposed to the hazard of injury must wear PPE appropriate in the circumstances.
• PPE must comply with the School’s Safety Shoe, Hard Hat and Harness policies, as well as departmental policies.

DEFINITIONS (from the Application of Industrial and Construction Regulations Safety Guideline for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario)

Lighting focus – The focusing and pointing, and possible colouring, of luminaires for a production.

Lighting hang – The placement of luminaires and/or cables for a performance/event.

Load-in or take-in (fit-up, set-up) – The initial delivery and installation of production elements including rigging, automation, scenery, electrics, audio, etc. at the rehearsal space or performance/event venue.

Load-out or take-out (tear-down and strike) – The dismantling and removal of production elements including rigging, automation, scenery, electrics, audio, etc. from the rehearsal space or performance/event venue.

Reference: Application of Industrial and Construction Regulations Safety Guideline for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario (Ministry of Labour) https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/liveperformance/gl_live_application.php