Hanging Out: Risk Management For Rigging
The best approach is having a safety program in
place
What happens if a piece of suspended rental equipment is put in service
and falls from its rigging, resulting in damage to the property, as well
as to the technician installing it and perhaps even several other crew
members?
Besides destroying the rental equipment, there is a high probability that
a lawsuit will follow. If you’re the unfortunate soul owning the piece
of equipment that failed, you can count on being the primary defendant
in the complaint. It’s at this point that the wise companies are separated
from the not so wise.
The wise company operates a risk management program that includes specialized
procedures and guidelines that maximize equipment inspection and minimize
the liability associated with this type of accident.
While this seems a fairly common-sense idea, it’s surprising to learn
how many companies do not regularly employ risk-mitigating procedures.
Often the risk management systems are not in place because they have never
been considered before, or they seem too complex and costly to operate
on a regular basis.
In practice, a specialized risk management and quality inspection program
adds little short-term expense while contributing significantly to client
value and long-term return on investment.
Let’s have a look at some of the inspection procedures for the most common
rigging equipment found in the rental and staging industry. Please feel
free to copy and share this information within your organization.
Also note that you can go to www.atmflyware.com
and download a free inspection poster for display within your organization.
Risk Management Guidelines For Rigging
The equipment purchased for a suspended application must be designed for that purpose and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions:
• The equipment must be compliant with the pertinent standards for overhead suspension;
• The equipment must be manufactured under product traceability controls in order to prove compliance with standards;
• Proper training must be given to those technicians that use the equipment;
• A routine inspection and maintenance program must be documented and include any corrective action taken as a result of the inspection;
• Equipment inspectors must be trained in the proper methods for inspection.
For more information, check out the Rigging & Stagecraft section in the Study Hall section of ProSoundWeb.com
Andrew T. Martin is owner and president of ATM Flyware, a leading designer and maker of rigging and suspension hardware. He can be reached at Andrew@atmflyware.com
December 2003 Live Sound International