health and safety issue with pregnant actor

[newgirl]

Hello,

I was hoping someone could inform me on the health and safety rules about using a pregnant actress in a production. The actress herelf will be 6 months by the time of the performanace and says she feels able to cope at the moment, however the director is unsure about whether it is safe. This would be for a student production, for which I will be the Stage Manager. Therefore if anyone knows of any regulations that could be of any use it would be very helpful in helping us decide what is best.

Thanks

S

[w/robe]

We've covered this before in connection with a professional company so have a search.

 

Here it is http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?show...&pid=261489

 

In this case if she is a student and you are a student it is up to the college to take a position over what they will let her do.

[lissy_indvideo]

Not sure if any of this is applicable to you as I don't know if as a student the college is responsible in any way for her well being and safety but........

 

I work with a circus company and twice now we have encountered performers who have become pregnant during the tour and continued to perform (pretty strenuous and physical stuff!) until 6 months into their pregnancies. This was their choice and were given the option to withdraw from performing but continue to work as part of the company if they wanted.

Circus is a bit of a special case in that performers undertake their own personal skill and routines at their own risk. The company is obligated to ensure equipment and audience safety regs are adhered to.

However, the performers in question were always given the final say in how much they would do each show and were able to extricate themselves from ensemble scenes as necessary and were able to change their routines so they felt comfortable and safe. Sometimes they didn't feel able to do do their personal routines at all in a show depending on how the pregnancy was making them feel each day. This was accepted by the rest of the company. They knew their own bodies best and it was ultimately their call. They were never pressured to do anything they didn't feel 100% comfortable with.

Sometimes this would mean extra rehearsals but the rest of the company were very supportive and understanding. The nature of the shows has always allowed for this kind of flexibility as over an 8 month tour we had to cover shows where a performer was unwell or injured.

 

Our health and safety officer is always relieved when company members are open and honest about any health issues as it allows for open conversations about how to deal with things and everyone is aware of the situation and any procedures that are to be put in place. Somewhere in his files he will have a risk assessment that was drawn up with the performers in question. (I don't have access to this right now I'm afraid)

 

 

P.S both performers now have beautiful healthy children!!

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

 

 

If her part is a crucial role in the production maybe having an understudy would be wise. As this is a student production I wouldn't have thought cost is an issue. That way the pregnant actor will never feel pressured into continuing if she feels unable to as she would be free of the worry of "letting the production down". Also the production would have a "plan B".

[newgirl]

Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately the girl in question is now unable to perform due to issues with the way she is carrying and has decided that for her own health and safety she would rather not perform. It has been useful however to learn the regulations on this issue.

Thanks again

S