Introduction

The Safety Guidelines for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario (the Guidelines) grew out of a need to address health and safety problems that are unique to our business.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) is the primary source for the issues and information in this document. Each employer/engager, supervisor and working professional (“worker”) needs to be familiar with the provisions of the Act and the regulations that apply to live performance work environments. All of these workplace parties have responsibilities under the Act and the regulations. It is important to note that the Act considers all self-employed independent contractors to be "worker".

In the context of live performance workplaces, inspectors with the Ministry of Labour will apply the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the relevant regulations made under the Act such as Regulations for Industrial Establishments, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulation, and Regulations for Construction Projects. Ministry inspectors will also be made aware of these Guidelines, but it is important to remember that their responsibility is to apply and enforce the law and they are not bound by or obliged to apply the Guidelines.

These Guidelines have been prepared by representatives of the industry on the Health and Safety Advisory Committee for Live Performance to assist employers/engagers, supervisors and working professionals in meeting the requirements under the Act and the relevant regulations made under the Act. The Committee was assisted by experts in the various skills, hazards and techniques mentioned throughout this document (see Acknowledgements).

The Guidelines recommend realistic procedures to develop methods for identifying potential hazards in our work environments, in order to increase our productivity and to protect those working in the live performance industry. Safe procedures do not involve losing the appearance of risk that can be such a vital quality of onstage live performance. These Guidelines are intended to assist people involved in the industry and not replace the laws that are in place. To determine their legal workplace duties and rights, employers/engagers, supervisors and working professionals are urged to refer to the actual legislation. The Guidelines will be continually updated and augmented, to deal with the changes in the live performance field as they occur.

The Guidelines are for everyone in the live performance field. They aim to educate every live performance worker, in all disciplines, at all levels, in the value of hazard recognition and safe working practices. Education is the foundation of any health and safety program, with knowledgeable performers, support staff, and management working together. The more workers and management know, the more effectively they can identify specific needs and issues before those issues become problems.

Safe practice in a safe environment makes for an efficient operation. At all times we must be vigilant in identifying potential hazards by being aware of where we are, what we are doing, with what and to whom. Safety is cost effective in both human and economic terms.

Hazard Recognition, Assessment and Control

Live performance venues and production environments (shops) can be dangerous places. They contain a vast assortment of equipment, tools, chemicals, and people, which together create the play, musical, dance, or opera. Those same components can also create numerous hazards, some with the potential of causing permanent personal injury. Hazard recognition, assessment and control are key to reducing and eliminating real and potential hazards. Everything we do has potential hazards, and everyone we work with is a partner in hazard recognition or a potential victim in occurrences. These Health and Safety Guidelines help you avoid many occurrences and reduce the damage and injury from occurrences that do occur.

The facts:

Occurrences, damage and injury are caused.
Occurrences, damage and injury can be prevented if the causes are eliminated.
Causes can be eliminated if we investigate all occurrences and potential occurrences properly, and implement solutions.
Unless the causes are eliminated, the same occurrences will happen again.

Work Safely. Think Broadly.

Awareness must be constant. Together with our knowledge and skills, we must support and appreciate the less tangible human abilities like imagination and intuition in hazard recognition. Beyond the Act and beyond the Guidelines come good judgement, practical knowledge and common sense.

Speak up. Take Action.

Everyone working in live performance, on stages, and in shops must be involved in hazard recognition and control. We must not assume that hazards are other people's responsibility. We must all speak up and take action when we know or believe there are hazards in our workplace. We must also encourage others to speak up, and encourage and support them when they do. There should be no fear of retribution for speaking up about hazards. To be silent and take no action has potentially greater dangers.

Definitions

Hazard:

any circumstance, condition, or combination that poses the risk of an injury.

Occurrence:

any unplanned and unwanted event that may result in damage or injury.

Performance:

includes onstage, backstage, orchestra pit, fly gallery, trap rooms, quick change areas, dressing rooms, cross-over corridors, voms, entrances and booths.

Rehearsal Hall:

the area where the creation of onstage activities with performers, directors, stage managers, choreographers and others occurs.

Production Period:

the span of time from the point at which the production is conceived until the production is completed.

Production Area (shop):

any space where the creation of goods used in live performance occurs. This includes all shops for props, scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, wigs, make-up, special effects, etc.

Minor Injury:

can be treated with first aid.

Major Injury:

requires off-site medical treatment and can result in lost time, loss of limb(s) or permanent disability.

Critical Injury:

is defined in Regulation 834, and means an injury of a serious nature that,

places life in jeopardy,
produces unconsciousness,
results in substantial loss of blood,
involves the fracture of a leg or arm, but not a finger or toe,
involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand or foot, but not a finger or toe,
consists of burns to a major portion of the body, or
causes the loss of sight in an eye.

Standard Industry Practice:

describes the work that is done and the conditions under which workers normally carry out their occupation.

Workplace:

includes all areas involved in a live performance or rehearsal, and all areas of production used to create those products necessary for a live performance or rehearsal.

Some information to help you use these guidelines more effectively:

Shall is used when referring to a practice that is law. Should is used when referring to a practice we recommend.
For a definition of "competent" person, please refer to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.