Tallescope

[glenn@KC]

I need to buy a tallescope for the venue I work for. I have only been here a few mouths and am finding it hard using ladders so it is quite essential but which modal to go for. I’ve only used the standard modals before but the rig isn’t that high and there is limited storage space so I’ve been recommended the Elevator modal (9812).

 

I’ve never been up an Elevator modal before and have always been a bit suspicious of them.

 

Can anyone tell me if they are any good? Do they feel as stable as a standard model and are they easy to put up and down?

 

 

Thanks, Glenn

[gareth]

The Elevator models don't feel any less stable than the ordinary 'scopes, and they're pretty easy for two people to put up or take down (not so easy if you're on your own!).

 

How high is your rig? And what is it about ladders that you find hard? Don't forget that in order to get into the basket of a 'scope, there's a ladder to climb ...

[glenn@KC]

the bars sit at 5m but there is a nasty projection screen box thing that sits about 70cm below that and ideally the scope needs to be ably to travel under that with out lowering.

 

it's a fixed rig so at the moment I'm rigging off ladders and I would be much happier with a scope.

 

I work alot on my own (I know I shouldn't) so I need something I can just wheel on and whip up and down rather then the fafing about with Zarges.

Thanks for the heads up about it being hard for one to put up.

[Just Some Bloke]

From a risk assessment point of view, one person on their own shouldn't be using a ladder, but with all the outriggers in place and locked off I believe it's ok for one person to go up a Tallescope (e.g. to change a gel or investigate a fault). Anyone like to confirm that?

[mumbles]

Thanks for the heads up about it being hard for one to put up.

We have a 9815 at uni, and while as Gareth says it isn't easy to put up and take down on your own, it is entirely possible. The only main advantage to having two people is having someone who can take the fold down bit as you climb down the ladder, so that you don't need to hold it right until you are on the floor, oh and having only to do 2 brakes and 1 outrigger each :P .

 

Overall, I'm quite happy to put the talle up on my own while a buddy is upstairs turning dimmers and desk on for a focus

 

with regards to stability, I used to use a standard one, and at first didn't like the idea of the elevator, but after using the uni's one for 18 months, I much prefer it, and am now not too keen on climbing the standard ones.

[Tomo]

From a risk assessment point of view, one person on their own shouldn't be using a ladder, but with all the outriggers in place and locked off I believe it's ok for one person to go up a Tallescope (e.g. to change a gel or investigate a fault). Anyone like to confirm that?

Personally I'm wary of anyone working at a height on their own - I think that someone should be available to call for help in the unfortunate event of it being necessary.

 

Risk assessment isn't only about reducing the probability of accidents. it's also about reducing the damage caused by them.

[Bryson]

Yes, I'd say that working at height alone is a no-no regardless of the piece of access equipment in question.

[dfinn]

Hi,

 

Yep, even if you are up a ladder or a tallescope, you should have someone else in the room with you, even if it's inconvenient, it may prove very valuable if you somehow injure yourself and need someone to get help.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

[Ike]

There is a difference in requiring someone to be footing a ladder and watching your every move and having someone in the same room to notice the thud and call an ambulance if you fall of the tally. I suppose it depends on the risk assessment, a theme park I've worked at requires a qualified first aider present for every person working at height which always seems a bit pessimistic...

[Colin]

I have used the 9812 model I prefer it because the angle you are climbing up most of the way feels much more natural.

 

Regards to working at height alone I don't think there are many jobs in a theatre (at height or on the floor) that I would be willing to under take purely on my own but I am usually fairly happy if I know someone will be back in a couple of mins. Working at height I would generally want someone in the room even if they are doing something else.

[gingertom]

the bars sit at 5m but there is a nasty projection screen box thing that sits about 70cm below that and ideally the scope needs to be ably to travel under that with out lowering.

 

it's a fixed rig so at the moment I'm rigging off ladders and I would be much happier with a scope.

 

I work alot on my own (I know I shouldn't) so I need something I can just wheel on and whip up and down rather then the fafing about with Zarges.

Thanks for the heads up about it being hard for one to put up.

 

 

 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/downloads/1and2.pdf

 

As the senior tech. or as a working professional you should be more than aware of the above.

[glenn@KC]

Thanks to everyone for there concerns of my personal safety. it nice to know people care. As I said earlier I know I shouldn't work at high on my own but sometimes there is no other way.

 

for the last 5 years I have been working in a small understaffed independent theatre with very little funding. A lot of the time I would have to work on my own just because there wasn't the money to pay a second technician. so I got very comfortable with focusing a couple of lights on a Sunday morning on my own whilst waiting for the kid show to turn up or first thing in the morning before any one turns up for the early starting conference. I know thats not the idle but sometimes its necessary.

 

thankfully I am now working in a academic environment and am never to far from hundreds of other people who would come running if I called or if they herd a loud crash.