In this issue of JR Clancy’s Rigging Report, they touch on a very important subject in the Entertainment Rigging World, Rigging Inspections – A Yearly Requirement.  Why is a rigging inspection so important to a venue?  Haveing a rigging compontant fall at ANY time is a bad situtation to be in.  Weather you are in a production or dark.  Have a rigging failure can cost huge amounts of money in repair and quite possiably personal injury!  Repairing a simple connection may save thousands and thousands of dollars in the long run.

Here is the full report from JR Clancy.

How many rigging inspections are you doing each year?   I’m sure you could be doing more.

OSHA requires a yearly inspection of overhead lifting systems.  Although we’re seeing a greater awareness by users of the need for inspections, most theatres still don’t do this.   They need to have inspections for safety purposes, and to stay legal.

Here’s what OSHA says:
29 CFR 1926.550 Cranes and derricks
1926.550(a)(6)

“A thorough, annual inspection of the hoisting machinery shall be made by a competent person, or by a government or private agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The employer shall maintain a record of the dates and results of inspections for each hoisting machine and piece of equipment.”

There are several reasons for doing inspections:  First, it’s a great idea to help your customers’ theatres be safe and well maintained.  Many theatres are not well maintained.  Schools may not have the knowledge to know what needs to be checked or maintained.  A regular inspection can help identify problems before they happen.

Secondly, it’s also an opportunity to provide a training session to refresh the staff’s skills.  This is a key to backstage safety – a well-trained user is the most important part of any safety program.

Plus, while you are doing an inspection, you have a chance to visit with the user.  This is a great way to show the user new products, point out obsolete items on their stage, and generally find out any needs they may have.   Any visit is an opportunity to learn about the users’ frustrations, problems, and needs, giving you the opportunity to provide solutions.  A friendly chat as part of a service visit is one of the most effective sales calls you can make.

Think about how you can help your clients with their backstage safety, and help them to select the products they’ll need for 2009.

Make sure to look for next weeks Rigging Report.  JR Clancy will be covering What happens after the inspection?