Ramps

Hi All, I am looking into overhaul motors for a counterweight flying system, does anyone have any experience of these? It is to minimise the amount of time that a load is out of balance and to also cut down on reliance on muscle power for getting bars in and out, I have been to a few venues that have them but have never seen one used and wanted to know the pros and cons of this kind of system. Thanks in advance.

Hi, yes I can see that would lead to some interesting articles, it is basically like a second counter weight that was used to help the false bar sit at an angle buy meant you didn't have to alter the cradle weight or use an "uncle buddy".As I say it was nearly 25 years ago and if I remember right it never really worked properly. It was always getting tangled due to the weight spinning .

The powers that be have decided we need a handrail across the cradles on the loading gallery "in case some one falls". I am against this idea as the only times I have been injured or nearly dropped a weight is when working in places that had one. I don't think I can dissuade them SO I was wondering what people thought of a tensioned steel wire rope as a hand rail, it wouldn't cause anything like the issues that a scaffolding handrail would but would it be ok , in principle?

I seem to remember that the touring version had some complicated "bomb" weight system for leveling the bar as it went out. It was a while ago so I could be wrong.

Thanks Mike, I think we are sorted now but I find it hard to believe that no one has picked up on this in a year. What has to happen before people take these risks seriously, It hasn't happened in a year is a shocking justification.

Thanks, that is kind of where we are, the venue are just passing it back and forth, the company are saying it isn,t aimed at lights so it should be fine as they have been doing it this way for a year, although they have now said they will "try" to source the flame proof items, I am gob smacked that a theatre company can work in such an amateur and dangerous way.. oh wait no I am not. Who has told you that 'it will be ok'...? If it was the visiting company then that's worth nothing in the grand scheme - if you (or whoever is the responsible authority for the venue if it's not you) say that it's NOT acceptable, then they, the visitors, will have to abide by that ruling. However, if the venue manager is the one saying that it's OK, and they've looked at how the confetti is being used (and done their own dynamic RA) then you would have to step back. If you're still unhappy with that situation then you have options - appeal to the venue management or if they remain unconcerned then you can walk away if you don't wish to be associated with something you feel is an unmitigated risk.

Hi Brian, no I havent tested it but I did contact a supplier that said it wasn't. I will take them at their word. Are you sure? i.e. have you tested it?

Hi, I have a question/issue the venue I am in has a visiting company in. I have found out( no risk assessmentswere given) that it is domestic confetti both in hand held cannons and manually thrown which is not flame proofed. I have raised this issue and have been told that it is fine as long as we clear it up properly. I am not comfortable with this " risk assessment" and feel I am getting no back up on this . It is used at the end of the show while the rig is at full. Am I overreacting or not?

Kind of covered the points I would have made, people seem to forget that PPE should be last resort. Several things immediately spring to my mind.. PPE needs to be issued, maintained and inspected. Using it correctly requires training and competent supervision. Anchor points should be fit for purpose, which is not trivial if they're to meet the required standard for fall-arrest and a rescue plan (and appropriate kit) may be needed. (Which in turn requires more training.) If the harness is to be used as 'work restraint' does it allow sufficient freedom of movement to do the job efficiently, or does it introduce new problems as far as manual handling is concerned (or exacerbate current ones)? The use of PPE sits at the bottom of the so-called "hierarchy of controls" and in most cases it really should be pretty much the last resort when it comes to controlling the risk of falls from height. Top of the list for addressing an "unprotected edge with a significant drop" would be to take it away, perhaps through the use of guard rails, cages, kick boards etc. If there really is a risk of falling from the loading gallery, PPE is not the answer until other solutions have been carefully explored and ruled out as genuinely impractical.

Thanks for the replies, I am surprised to hear that a harness is used in one venue as it seems to open up a whole lot of other problems.

I agree, it was a recommendation by the comp[any brought in to check the system for its annual inspection. I don't give a lot of weight to their findings, but as things go I have to try to prove my point, preferably by example.

Hi, I am looking for any risk assessment with regards to loading and unloading cradles on a counterweight system, We have one but have been told that the loader should be wearing a harness to minimise the risk of falling into the fly frame. I have never heard of this happening and have never seen this system being used, has anyone? I