WORKSHOP POLICY

The School operates 6 technical workshops and labs:

• Production/Teaching Wardrobe in the Student Learning Centre (SLC G-027 and 028)

• Light and Sound Lab in the Student Learning Centre (SLC G-029)

• Carpentry Shop (KHW 71T) Note: Includes Welding bays

• Prop Shop (KHW 171T)

• Studio Theatre (SLC B-031)

• The Mainstage (West Kerr Hall)

Scope

The School recognizes that both academic (teaching) and production (practicum) work occurs in all five spaces. This policy balances the needs of faculty-assigned work within a course structure with the day-to-day “show-responsive” needs of production. In both cases, the availability of adequate faculty and staff supervision will supersede the demands of independent student work.

Policy

No student will work unsupervised in any of the above named workshops or labs without prior approval by the faculty or staff member in a position of authority. If unsupervised work is to be approved, the following procedures will apply.

Procedures

• At no time will any student work alone. The “buddy system” is required at all times

• Staff members, due to union considerations, are unable to supervise faculty-assigned course work. Teaching assistants, as part of their normal work load, are the only exception to this rule. Case-by-case situations may arise where staff can be asked to supervise class work, for appropriate recompense. This will be monitored by the Chair’s office

• Production (practicum) work, by its nature, is staff-supervised. Staff will be allowed certain latitude in determining, during the course of a regular work day, which work can be completed by students in a minimum-supervised fashion. In particular, sewing, painting and hand tool work will be considered “minimum supervision”

• Notwithstanding “minimum supervision”, a staff faculty or staff member must be within 5 minutes distance of the workshop or lab being used

• At all times, the student worker must know who is supervising their work. They must also know how to access help in the event of an emergency

• Certain tools and machinery may be deemed by faculty and staff to be more dangerous than others, in a student-operated situation. At all times, the likelihood of injury will be the determining factor.

• No tool designated dangerous or any motorized, bladed tool may be used without the presence of faculty or staff

• Should “minimum supervision” work require the need of a dangerous or motorized, bladed tool, a faculty or staff member must be present for the duration of the work

• The Wardrobe workshop, due to the nature of its use, is accessible by students with active OneCards. Wardrobe supervisors and their crews may work unsupervised after hours only if University Security has been notified of their presence in the School. Proper University identification is required at all times

• Academic/production work requiring the use of the Studio Theatre lighting booth/equipment, sound booth/equipment or the Lighting/Sound lab, shall be performed during the regular faculty/staff work day. Should there be a need for after-hours work, a deposit for keys will be required from the student. At all times, the potential for student injury will be taken into account by faculty and staff when determining access. University Security must be informed of student presence in these locations.

• Academic/production work requiring the use of the Mainstage shall always be scheduled around the availability of faculty or staff supervision. No keys are available to students for this facility.

Due to the fact that under the current curriculum First Year Production students do not receive Carpentry Shop instruction until part way through the Fall Term, NO 1st Year crew member may work on stationary power tools in the shop until Winter (2nd Term). This includes table, band and radial arm saws, lathes and air tools.

Note:

For Tool Operation and Safety information please see information and operators manuals in the Scene Shop (KHW – 71T)