The OSHA & ANSI Inspections Your Theater Requires - Rigging Safety

When it comes to theatrical productions, lighting and curtains set the tone, illuminate the action, enhance the background, and even conceal equipment or areas that the audience shouldn’t see. These dramatic elements are a crucial part of every type of theatrical or music production. And if the curtains and rigging that move, lift, and support scenery, lights, and other equipment are unsound, you can wind up with a whole host of problems.

The last thing you want to do is wait for someone to get hurt to find out why your rigging is malfunctioning!  Did you know that you are legally required to have your theatrical rigging (including your curtains) inspected every year? Here are eight reasons why:

1. It’s the law

All of your theatrical and entertainment rigging systems must have annual inspections to maintain warranties and meet the code of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), International Building Code (IBC), and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 

The annual inspections should include the fire safety curtain, the manual counterweight rigging systems, powered hoist systems, and rigging systems. 

2. Minimize liability

Because an OSHA statute requires inspections, if a crew member or actor is injured due to faulty rigging, your organization could be held liable.

3. Avoid accidents due to worn equipment

When rigging equipment becomes worn out, it can stop working correctly or be more likely to fall. In worst-case scenarios, someone could be struck and severely injured.

4. Fire protection

Fire curtains serve a critical purpose – they provide a barrier between the stage and auditorium to prevent the heat, smoke, and blaze from harming the audience while the auditorium is evacuated. A faulty, absent, or non-fire-retardant fire safety curtain can have deadly consequences.

In addition, excessive dust on dimmers or other electrical equipment can cause equipment to overheat, ultimately causing a tragic fire.