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Location: Ministry of Labour > Health and Safety > Publications > Safety Guidelines for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario

1. Hand Props and Costumes

This guideline deals with the use and handling of props and costumes during rehearsal and performance.

Definitions

Hand prop

Any article that is carried or handled, not worn, by the performer.

Costume

Any article, including footwear, masks, wigs and headgear, that is worn, not carried or handled, by the performer.

Flame retardant

A chemical used to provide flame resistance.

Flame resistant

(Adjective) See flame resistance.

Flame resistance

The property of a material whereby flaming combustion is prevented, terminated, or inhibited following the application of a flaming or non-flaming source of ignition, with or without subsequent removal of the ignition source.

General Guidelines

1. The safety of performers and others who handle props and costumes should be taken into account in all stages of their design, purchase, construction, repair, maintenance and use. Consideration should be given to the safe integration of hand props and costumes with the other elements of the production, including but not limited to scenery, lighting, sound and performance venue.
2. The age, size and physical fitness of the performers should be taken into account in all stages of design, purchase, construction and use of hand props and costumes.
3. The responsibility for the construction, care and maintenance of individual items should be clearly assigned by the producing company.
4. Items constructed for a production should be accompanied by the maker’s instructions for care and maintenance.
5. Props and costumes should be checked regularly for wear or damage and repaired or replaced when necessary.
6. Performers should inform the person(s) responsible as soon as possible of any repairs needed to maintain the safety of a costume or prop.
7. Performers should be given adequate instruction and rehearsal time to become accustomed to all props and costumes as they will be used in performance, including scene changes and costume quick changes.
8. The company should ask performers if they have any allergies to food, or props and costume materials.
9. Performers should inform the company as soon as possible about any allergies or adverse physical reactions to props and costume materials.
10. Paints, dyes, adhesives and solvents used in construction, repair and maintenance should be allowed to evaporate completely before the costume or prop is used.
11. Solvents used in cleaning should be allowed to evaporate and the article should be aired sufficiently before use.
12. Those portions of props or costumes which are likely to come in contact with the performer should be free of materials or finishes which could cause injury or harm.
13. Performers should be provided with assistance in cases where the combination of costume, props, scenery and/or lighting creates safety concerns.

Hand Props Guidelines

1. Hand props should be designed, chosen and built with consideration for their specific use on stage.
2. Props should be checked for rough edges, chips, loose material or other potential hazards before being given to the performers.
3. Rehearsal props should be provided wherever practicable and should be as close as possible in size, weight and shape to the intended performance articles.
4. Performers should be informed of any changes made to a hand prop already in use and be given adequate time to work with the changed article.
5. Any addition or change in stage business that involves the use of hand props should be rehearsed with the props before it is included in the performance.
6. Alternatives to open flame should be considered wherever possible. Where open flame is used, items placed or used near open flame should be made of flame resistant materials or treated with flame retardant.

Costumes Guidelines

1. Within the reasonable bounds of period, style and character, costumes should be designed, constructed and fit so as not to impede movement unnecessarily on or off stage.
2. The person(s) responsible for costumes should be informed as soon as possible about special movement required of a performer so that these movements may be anticipated in the construction and fit of the costume.
3. Rehearsal costumes should be provided wherever practicable and should be as close as possible in size, weight and shape to the intended performance articles.
4. All aspects of costumes should be fitted to avoid injury or unnecessary discomfort. Costumes, including masks, wigs and headgear,
   1. should provide a field of vision adequate for safe movement on and off stage;
   2. should not obstruct the performer’s breathing or hearing;
   3. should be fitted and balanced to prevent headaches, neck or back strain;
5. During fittings, performers should be encouraged to consider their anticipated range of staged movement in each costume.
6. The combination of performer footwear and playing surface should provide the degree of traction necessary for the safe execution of the performance.
7. Alternatives to open flame should be considered wherever possible. Where open flame is used, costumes worn near the flame should be made of flame resistant materials or be treated with flame retardant. Any trim or decoration applied to the costume after treatment with flame retardant should also be made of flame resistant materials or be treated with fire retardant.
8. Costumes worn next to the skin should be cleaned/washed frequently. Other costume elements, including wigs, masks and headgear, should be cleaned/washed as necessary.