Welcome to netHEADS!
The Occasional When-we-feel-like-it
Email Newsletter from Sapsis Rigging, Inc.
020 June 2005
webHEADS can also be viewed in all of its full-color HTML glory at:
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Contents:
Long Reach Long Riders - Ready to Roll
Uncle Bill Talks About...Six Simple Rules for Saving Your Life
Sapsis Rigging In the News
ETCP Rigging Exam Information Now Available
Featured Products
Baby News
Long Reach Long Riders - Ready to Roll
The Long Reach Long Riders are making their final preparations for their 2nd annual charity motorcycle ride. This year's ride starts simultaneously in Washington, DC and San Diego on June 26th. The two groups meet in Hays, Ks on the 28th and continue on to Rapid City, South Dakota. You can follow along with them online. There will be a daily trip diary on the Rider’s website http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/LRLR.html complete with photos and commentary.
And there's still time to make a donation. All proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
For more information, visit the The Long Reach Long Riders Website
http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/LRLR.html
Uncle Bill Talks About... Six Simple Rules for Saving Your Life
There’s a saying that goes around some of the rigging shops: You don’t have to worry about a fall, since it’s not the fall that kills you. It’s the sudden stop.
All jokes aside, people really do fall—and when they do they get hurt, or even killed. There have been several well-publicized fatalities over the past few years and some not-so-well-publicized accidents. What they all have in common is that they were avoidable. It’s not like we don’t have equipment to protect our riggers. Harnesses, lifelines and other safety gear have been around for years, as have the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) rules designed to prevent accidental falls. OSHA seeks to protect the nation’s workers, with violators of its rules subject to strict penalties under the law. (For detailed information on OSHA’s comprehensive requirements and standards, visit the website at www.osha.gov). There are also plenty of safety experts out there who are more than willing to share their knowledge on how to best avoid such catastrophes. So why do they continue to happen? Here’s a quick fall-arrest refresher:
1) If you are working in a place where you can fall more than six feet, you must either have an OSHA-approved railing or other restraining device, or you must use a fall-arrest system.
2) Each component of the fall-arrest system must have a minimum 5,000 pounds tensile strength.
3) You must be trained in the proper use of the equipment.
4) The equipment must be inspected by a qualified person prior to each use.
5) You cannot disconnect from the fall-arrest system until you are no longer in a hazardous situation.
6) You should never place yourself, or be forced by an employer, into a hazardous situation without a fall-arrest system.
Sounds simple, right? Then why do people continue to get hurt? Of the last three well-known fatalities due to falling, two of the workers fell and died because they weren’t connected to their fall-arrest systems. Why?
I’ve heard the excuses: “There wasn’t time” or “I was only going to be there for a minute” or “It was too dark.” Accidents happen when you rush around too much or can’t see well. Unless you have a crystal ball and can accurately predict when you are going to have an accident, you should be wearing the gear every single time you make a climb.
And then there are the folks who climb without any safety gear at all. Why do they do this? To answer this question, I conducted some extremely un-scientific surveys and discovered a pattern: Believe it or not, it’s the macho factor that’s to blame.
For example, let’s say it’s 7 am at the local arena and the load-in for a rock band is just about to start. The road guys are giving instructions to the local crew, including the high-steel riggers. Unfortunately, they don’t have enough harnesses to go around for the local crew. While a couple of the local guys have brought their own gear, others have not. So what happens? All the high-steel riggers go up, regardless of whether or not they have safety equipment. Why do they do this? Maybe it’s simply because the guys who don’t have harnesses don’t want to get laughed at.
I know peer pressure can be tough. But is it worth dying over? Is giving one of your buddies a hard time really worth a lifetime of guilt? Tease your friends on the ball field or during a poker game, but don’t do it when someone’s life is on the line. Everyone has to get on the same page with this concept. If there aren't enough harnesses to go around, then only the people who can safely climb should go up. I don't care if there are only five climbers when there were supposed to be 10. I don't care if it will take longer and cost the producer more money.
So how do you avoid these situations? Don't wait until the day of the load in to figure it out. Most IA locals have regular meetings. If you're a member, go to one and work with others to develop a reasonable plan to deal with rigging safety issues. Decide if all local riggers should have their own gear or if the arena will supply the equipment-and let it be known that's it's OK for local riggers without the right equipment to say no.
Maybe you're a nonunion freelance worker and don't have the convenience of monthly meetings. Maybe you think it might be too difficult to get the rest of the freelancers in your town together. If your town is like every other town I've been to, stagehands, union or not, tend to a) drink at a bar not to far from the stage door; b) play in the same softball league; or c) be students at the same university. This industry (and your town) is not all that big, so chances are that you all know each other or have friends in common. It will take a little effort, but knowing that you could save a friend's life makes the effort worth it. Have a party after a load out.
Get together for a barbecue. Do something that will get all of you together for a face-to-face dialogue on how to deal with situations that affect the well being of you and your co-workers.
Until anti-gravity boots are invented, fall arrest gear will be required. If you want to be one of the people who climb the steel, learn the rules about fall arrest systems-and then put those rules into place. Excuses are lousy reasons for getting hurt or killed.
©Copyright 2005 Bill Sapsis, Sapsis Rigging Inc.
Hey - don't steal my stuff! Please do not reproduce, distribute or forward without written permission. Thanks!
For more Uncle Bill visit the Uncle Bill Archives http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/UB.ArticleIndex.html and catch up on those veritable pearls o' wisdom from our favorite rigging master.
SRI Provides Rigging Services for Indy Car Stunt
Sapsis Rigging provided the rigging services for the Target Racing Team event staged at the Indiana Square Building in Indianapolis, IN. The event was staged in conjunction with the 89th Indianapolis 500 and involved raising and attaching a full sized Formula 1 race car to the facade of the building at the 21st floor. In addition to the car, three members of the ‘Vertical Catwalk’ German stunt team performed on the side of the building in and around the car.
Working with Shawn Nolan of Entertainment Structures, Inc., a Cincinnati based engineering firm, Sapsis Rigging designed, built and installed a support structure in the 21st floor of the building to raise, suspend and then lower the car. Sapsis Rigging also designed built and installed the structure on the roof of the building that supported the “Vertical Catwalk’ stunt men.
The unveiling of the car took place on May 27th. Performances by the stunt team took place on the 28th & 29th. The car was removed from the building and returned to the Target Racing Team on the 30th. More photos in our Photo Gallery.
The ETCP Rigging Certification Exam
(This is a reprint that Katie Geraghty requested we post again.)
ETCP Rigging Exam Information Now Available The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council is pleased to announce the rigging candidate handbook and application forms are now available. The first ETCP rigging examinations (arena and theatre) will be held in November 2005 in conjunction with the ETS-LDI tradeshow. Candidate information, including eligibility requirements and application forms, are available on the ETCP website.
All experienced riggers are invited to take the industry's first rigging certification exam. The rigging certifications are designed for highly experienced riggers (rigging supervisors, high steel riggers, flypersons, etc). Qualified riggers can apply for either one or both exams. Individuals must meet eligibility requirements to apply for the exam(s).
Candidates who pass the examinations in November 2005 will be the first ETCP Certified Riggers in North America and will be acknowledged as the only members of the “Class of 2005” on the ETCP website.
The ETCP rigging examinations are designed to test a well-defined body of knowledge representative of current professional rigging practices. Successful completion of a certification examination verifies broad-based knowledge in rigging. Information regarding the content of the examinations is available in the candidate handbook. The content for the examinations is based on a job analysis performed by twenty-four subject matter experts under the guidance of a professional psychometric firm, along with input from hundreds of riggers across North America. For a list of these well-respected, veteran riggers please visit the ETCP website at http://www.etcp.esta.org/TestDevelopers/smes.html
If you would like the examination information and application forms mailed or emailed to you, please contact Katie Geraghty, ETCP Certification Director, at 212-244-1505 or kgeraghty@esta.org with your contact information.
Featured Product: Mini Ratchet Lever Hoist
The Mini Ratchet Lever Hoist is an ideal tool for every maintenance person's toolbox.
*Capacity: 550 Pounds
*Weighs only 6 pounds for ease of operation and portability
*Overall Length-11 Inches
*Use in confined conditions with one-hand operation.
* Free chaining features serves to quickly attach the load.
*Impact resistant all-steel frame, gear case and cover.
*Rubber grip on handle for superior comfort and security
*Weston type load brake
*Hardened link load chain for strength and long wear
Warning! To avoid Injury: * Do not exceed working load limit (WLL), rated load or capacity.* Do not use to lift people or loads over people.* Install, maintain, and operate only as instructed in the manual provided with the hoist.
Mini Ratchet Lever Hoist - 5' Lift # 07-09-02-0210 $ 96.25
Mini Ratchet Lever Hoist - 10' Lift # 07-09-02-0214 $ 122.25
Order from our Online Catalog
http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SRI&Category_Code=320
Check out the new Clearance Section at our Online Store!
Big Savings on Tools, Books, Safety Gear and Hardware.
http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SRI&Category_Code=999
Baby News
Perry Fertig and Janette Hough-Fertig
announce the birth of
Jules Wolfgang Fertig
5/31/05 @ 6 am
8lb 4oz, 20.5 in long
*******************************************************************
Katherine & Brian are pleased to announce Genevieve's new sister
Phoebe Elizabeth Freedman Beirne
born May 16 at 4:34 a.m.
7 lb. 0 oz.
*******************************************************************
Shawn and Marisue Sack of Mountain Productions
announce the birth of
Owen Charles
April 19, 2005
8 lbs 0 oz. , 20"
©Copyright 2005 Sapsis Rigging Inc.
http://www.sapsis-rigging.com
233 N. Lansdowne Ave. Lansdowne, PA 19050
800/727-7471 FAX: 800/292-3851
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