From the
Manager’s Desk:
Performing Arts
- Don Parman, Manager of
Performing Arts Programs and
Services, Actsafe Safety Association
“We Need To Talk About Orientations”
YES, you need
to do this for
every new and
young worker!
YES, you should
do this at the
top of each
call!
W
e need to talk about
orientations for the performing arts and
live event industries. “Why?” you might
ask. Well, orientations is an area of safety
that these industries could be better
at. The performing arts and live event
industries have been playing catch up
with other industries in addressing basic
safety planning and execution, and this
has to change. My aim is to help our
industries be at the forefront of safety
and be the arts and entertainment
industries’ leader for orientations.
16 Safety Scene
Summer 2019 Edition: Orientation
While there are many requirements from
WorkSafeBC for new and young worker
orientations, I would like to go back to
basics for those overwhelmed by the idea of
orientations in a freelance market. Let’s stick to
the top five things you need to know to orient
your workers:
1. Identify the supervisor: Workers need to
be made aware of who their supervisor
is and the supervisor’s role in their safety.
Workers are to address safety issues
through them.
2. How workers can summon first aid:
Workers must be told where first aid can
be located and who the designated first
aid attendants are. They may not always
be near the first aid station so workers
must also be told how they can contact
first aid, such as on the phone, headset,
or radio.
3. Emergency Procedures: It’s important
that everyone in your production knows
the emergency procedures that are
in place in case of an emergency,
such as fires and earthquakes. Exits,
extinguishers, muster points and any
procedures involved in evacuations must
be brought to everyone’s attention. Also,
let everyone know where the evacuation
procedure document is posted!