THE COHEN GROUP
  Environmental Health & Safety Consulting Services

The Cohen Group Newsletter - Volume 7  Issue 3, Article 4.  October, 2005

  Performing Arts and Cal/OSHA Regulations
By Tim Bormann, CIH

 We recently have been involved in responding to questions concerning compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations for the entertainment industry. Of course some of the issues revolve around performing arts for colleges and "volunteer" performing arts groups such as local playhouses, etc. Cal/OSHA does not have any industry specific standards for the entertainment industry. Generally entertainment (performing arts) would be covered under the general industry standards, although there may be some construction-related jobs for sets, etc, that would be required to follow the construction standards. These standards apply to employees and not typically to volunteers, such as performers for local community performing arts groups or independent contractors (e.g. self-employed individuals). However, for all groups it is good practice to follow Cal/OSHA regulations for the health and safety of all workers.

Although Cal/OSHA does recognize it is not always appropriate to put safety devices such as guardrails at the edges of stages particularly during performances, they do expect that employees will be protected from safety and health hazards.

The application of Cal/OSHA regulations is a lot clearer for employees involved in set design and construction, particularly workers such as grips, riggers, carpenters, electricians, etc. Applicable Cal/OSHA regulations for construction and general industry would apply to their work. How to properly apply these health and safety regulations for performances, where it may not be visually appropriate to have rails on the stage, or to have visible lines for fall protection, etc. is difficult to address. Cal/OSHA may allow some deviations from the General Industry Safety Orders for performances for artistic effect, however the health and safety of the performers must still be considered. In such cases, the performing arts group must be a bit more "creative" and find alternative guards to protect the performers. This may include redesigning the set to minimize fall hazards, employing the use of performers during the scene to assist other performers, such as when climbing on sets, providing some cleverly disguised hand rails, or in some case training and warning the performers during rehearsals of potential hazards.

The Cohen Group can assist in conducting assessments of potential health and safety hazards of sets and productions.