Restrictions

[morepowerigor]

you're allowed to re-wire a plug, teacher or student. but using it wouldn't be legal.

How do you rewire a teacher or student, and what is illegal about using said rewired student or teacher :unsure:

[casey_cole]

We were basically left to get on with it - we had proper access equipment training and followed the procedures correctly for it. We did use a tallescope on occasion but we had to get it from the caretaker and be supervised by them while using it.

 

In terms of kit - we did everything; no restrictions at all. They couldn't restrict us 'cos we were the only ones who knew what was going on!

 

Common sense + health and safety = safe, effective working environment. Perfect.

 

CC

 

EDIT: Also, we had four sets of area master-keys for the control room and store cupboards.

[nicemms]

We were basically left to get on with it - we had proper access equipment training and followed the procedures correctly for it. We did use a tallescope on occasion but we had to get it from the caretaker and be supervised by them while using it.

 

In terms of kit - we did everything; no restrictions at all. They couldn't restrict us 'cos we were the only ones who knew what was going on!

 

Common sense + health and safety = safe, effective working environment. Perfect.

 

CC

 

EDIT: Also, we had four sets of area master-keys for the control room and store cupboards.

 

Your lucky you can lock up your dimmers etc. We have no locks on ours so anyone in school, providing they knew where they where, could switch them on etc.

[mark_s]

Your lucky you can lock up your dimmers etc

 

Unless you're working on a Saturday morning and forget to get the key beforehand. Not that I've ever done that...:)

[showman]

When I was at school it was fun being able to build our own scaff towers (improperly), use our tallescopes, carry lanterns up ladders, etc. I learnt a lot and quickly how not to do things...

 

Now after years of working properly having got things like PASMA and IPAF licenses, I am now compliant with HSE work at height reg's and I see the error in my ways. :)

[casey_cole]

I got some funny looks at school when I whipped out my PASMA card!

[Mamaki]

Oh jeez, this subject. Liabilities, liabilities, liabilities. I have quite a few beefs with liabilities. I can't even go up a ladder without someone there holding it. Can't make my own safety cables even though I know how. When you have a limited crew, limited budget, and limited time, liabilities severely limit your efficiency, and sadly, "responsible" people tend to have eyes in the back of their heads.

 

I don't have time to worry about safety and regulations. I have a show to run.

 

To answer the original question, I wouldn't say the college I'm at now is strict per se. I have quite a bit of free reign, but all the little nitpicking details decided by people who do something stupid and start sueing add up. If they need someone to screw, they should go off and screw themselves. I know what I'm doing, I know what's reasonably safe, and I know my limits.

[niax]

But they don't care that you know how to do things safely - they just want to cover themselves should someone get hurt and then sue them.

[Mamaki]

But they don't care that you know how to do things safely - they just want to cover themselves should someone get hurt and then sue them.

I'm perfectly aware of that; doesn't change the fact that it severely limits your efficiency. It can't change either, but it's still a pain in the butt.

[Jram]

I don't have time to worry about safety and regulations. I have a show to run.

Sounds like you're a danger to yourself and to others, an accident waiting to happen. Safety should be your priority, from your postings so far I wouldn't trust you to sit the right way on a toilet.

 

...and I know my limits.

So you'll be completely aware of the gaps in your knowledge, experience and attitude then... B-)

[casey_cole]

I don't have time to worry about safety and regulations. I have a show to run.

 

You'll have plenty of time to worry about safety and regulations while lying in hospital if you don't have someone footing your ladder and you over-reach sideways while rushing to rig the show.

 

There is simply no substitute for thinking things through carefully, formulating a mental risk-assessment, then carrying out the task with regard to safety for others and yourself. You may only get one chance to screw up...

 

CC

[zonino]

I don't have time to worry about safety and regulations. I have a show to run.

 

;)

 

I think you need to seriously reconsider the way that you work within production spaces. Both your general attitude towards others, and your attitude to safety. I'm glad to know that the chances of my working with you are slim, and I'll happily keep it that way. Increasing your trust in the people you're working with will give you more time to "worry about safety".

[Andrew C]

I don't have time to worry about safety and regulations.

Current Employment or place of study. I am a technical writer at Lockheed Martin

Remind me to steer clear of any planes made by this outfit in future please...

[Bobbsy]

Since Lockheed Martin specialise in jet fighters, I'd say steering clear of their planes is pretty good advice!

 

Seriously, although some health and safety rules might seem to be there only to protect companies against litigation, other rules are much more common sense. I fear that some of your examples fall under what I consider "common sense", Mamaki. For example, I don't consider having somebody "footing" my ladder to be a waste of time or effort. Similarly, you say you can make your own safety cables. Maybe so, but do you have any way of testing them under dynamic shock loading conditions? I'd rather buy them with a known spec, thank you very much.

 

Others have already said it but, if you attitude is that you have no time for safety rules and regulations because you have a show to run, you are a danger to yourself and all around you. Perhaps you should take up a new hobby--one where not having time for safety rules will only kill you, not others.

 

Finally, with my "official" hat on, please refrain from that sort of post in the Blue Room. We cannot allow posts that condone or encourage unsafe working practices.

 

Bob

[skenmy]

We are pretty free to do as we wish - although it has become a lot more lax since we entered Sixth Form. We often build the scaffolding and climb it, re-rig and whatnot ourselves (Our current record for a 15ft scaffolding build is 10 minutes). We hold keys to the doors we require, and more often than not we are generally allowed to stroll around and collect the cables and equipment we require without being stopped and asking why we are carrying it all over the school.

 

Lighting packs are something we are trained in starting up due to the high voltage involved, but we have children as young as 13 trained in powering the packs. The only thing we are strict about is the scaffolding or ladders - sixth form only (and even then only those who have permission to do so).