THE NEW ESTA RIGGING STANDARD The U.S. entertainment industry reached a milestone in April 2017.
The Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) re- - rical rigging, both manual and automated. Naturally, this new, recommended standard has raised questions among facility managers. Why is the standard needed? How will it Here is an overview of what to know. Foremost, the new standard –
accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – is meant to help you create a safer environment, and extend the life of your theatrical equipment.
Why a New Standard? The use of rigging and hoists in theatre and performance spaces is ever increasing. Yet, historically, the people responsible for keeping that equipment and those who use it safe had no formal guidelines, according to Karl Ruling. As the ESTA technical standards manager, Ruling oversees the pro-
gram and worked with the industry professionals who developed the new ANSI E1.47 - 2017 Recommended Guidelines for Entertainment current best practices. (Go to
http://tsp.esta.org/tsp/documents/ published_docs.php and click “ANSI E1.47 - 2017” to download a free copy of this standard for your facility’s management and owner- ship.) “Previously, owners or third-parties were using whatever knowledge
they had at hand or could make up on their own. This standard sets formal guidelines, which are the consensus of the industry, for routine inspections conducted by the system owner, and third-party inspec- tors,” Ruling said. According to the standard, rigging inspections are recommended as a component of theatrical workplace safety programs. The standard lift and support scenery, luminaires, and other equipment overhead in - theaters and arenas used for live performances or special events. The standard addresses four key areas: inspections
• Inspection frequency and scope • Inspection process details/how to conduct the inspection • Inspection report content Ruling stressed the rigor involved in creating the standard, which was authored by the Rigging Working Group (RWG) within ESTA’s Technical Standards Program. RWG consists of a cross-section of ex- perienced entertainment industry professionals representing diverse interests. industry standard. Every word is there for a reason,” Ruling added.
How are professional venues affected? across the performing arts: rigging system owners, rigging system in-
Its Impact On Inspections | By Anthony Seifritz PERFORMING ARTS:
spectors, stagehands, performers, insurance companies, and occupa- be positive. “Standards prevent accidents, protect lives and property, save time and money, solve problems, inform the industry, and enhance creativ- ity.” Yet, he said, some inspections were not being done – either never or on a very infrequent basis. The standard recommends the frequen- cy of inspections. In particular, it states that manually operated equipment and mo-
torized equipment should be inspected annually or immediately after equipment or components have been newly installed, altered, or re- paired. Ruling added that the standard’s ethics section addresses one par- ticular issue that had created some inspection resistance from system owners in the past. -
of the owners and users of the facilities inspected.’ It rules out using inspections as a sales pitch.”
Who can help with compliance? As Ruling stated, seek help from experienced professionals. The new If you need to justify your inspection, I recommend these selling
points:
your rigging equipment and motion control systems, and how to iden- tify potential problems. Having a solid sense of the systems can make operators aware if something has been altered or damaged and needs attention. Issues can happen as a result of age, accident, equipment failure, or human error. Ask product manufacturers and installers equipment installations and backstage environments that may be un- repair costs and perhaps avoid expensive damages or injuries. An an- nual inspection, at minimum, is now the standard recommendation to help ensure safety and reduce liability risk. Maintenance. A thorough inspection process includes following the new ESTA standard’s guidelines for rigging inspection report content. It may include details on an item that is working, but needs continual monitoring. Or, a part that needs replacement, a system that needs a software upgrade, or a piece of equipment that should be taken out of service. -
ovation rationale, follow the new ESTA standard. Get an inspection to keep your facility at the forefront of venue safety. It’s worth it. FM
Anthony Seifritz oversees J.R. Clancy’s TIM (Train, Inspect, Maintain) program. To learn about the TIM program, visit
jrclancy.com or call 1-800-455-4072.
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