Rostra Height

[Bankers]

Do anybody know if there is a restricted height of a platform or rostra you can build to?

[Ynot]

You can build as high as you like.

 

BUT you must take the responsibility of making it safe to be used by those using it.

And also that it's solid enough (ie properly braced if scaff legs or similar used).

 

Whether it needs handrails to prevent falls depends entirley on a number of factors -

Is it used by children or adults?

Is there a likelihood of falls from the height due to the activity (eg dance..)?

Are handrails appropriate to the scene, and if not, what other measures can you take to reduce the potential for injury.

 

All in all, YOU risk assess the structure and in that take responsibility should anything outside of that RA cause a problem.

[Ali2580]

At college we were informed that if you build rostra above a certain height you must have handrails for safety and above another certain height you are not allowed to stand on the rostra/other raised platforms unless they do. Is this true or just no one wanting to take any risks?

[w/robe]

It presumably is that they have done a RA and decided that under no circumstances will they let you go over a certain height, so it may be 'true' that you cannot do so in your venue but it is not the law.

[andy_s]

At college we were informed that if you build rostra above a certain height you must have handrails for safety and above another certain height you are not allowed to stand on the rostra/other raised platforms unless they do. Is this true or just no one wanting to take any risks?

 

I think Mark's interpretation of the college's statement is probably right, but out of interest, I wonder, what were the two "certain heights" specified by your college?

 

It is worth remembering that rostra can be used in theatres for performers to work on and also as seating areas for the audience, and the risk assessment for each use will of course be different. It's not absolutely clear in the OP what use is envisaged, I'd hazard a guess at the former....

[Ali2580]

...but out of interest, I wonder, what were the two "certain heights" specified by your college?

 

Andy,

 

Can't remember exactly off by heart but I'm sure anything above 1m-something you weren't allowed to stand unless you had handrails. I'm assuming it was in fact just up to specific RA rather than any law/legislation.

[andy_s]

Ali

 

thanks for the info. I believe it is down to local specific risk assessment.

 

it's quite a complicated area, isn't it? When does a stage become a platform? the drop from the front of many stages can be well over a metre to the floor of the orchestra pit, so this clearly constitutes a platform, but you will never** see railings at the front of the stage. (risky statement perhaps - maybe someone will contradict me?) Other methods of reducing the risk of falls are in place, eg clear marking of the edge; rehearsal of movements to avoid the need for performers to come close enough to the edge to risk a fall; etc...

 

Andy S

 

**during performances at least: I'm not considering measures in place in some theatres during get-ins, pit movements etc, where the installation of temporary barriers may indeed be included in the method statement ...

[Andrew C]

Other methods of reducing the risk of falls are in place, eg clear marking of the edge;

Some dolt from one of the 1st Aid orgs did a RA for the theatre (manglement just don't have a clue). He insisted that we needed a stripey tape across the stage edge even during performance. A whole 5" high... Yes, inches.

[andy_s]

Could you ask them to come and risk-assess Muswell Hill Broadway? I'm sure I've had some near-misses with some really dangerous road-side kerbs just waiting to be fallen off...

 

you have my sympathy ... risk assessments should be undertaken by people with a good understanding of the task / activity being assessed and all influencing parameters.

[jonathanhill]

but you will never** see railings at the front of the stage.

A lot of touring houses stretch a line across the prosc whilst the pit is down, removing it for opening night.

[andy_s]

but you will never** see railings at the front of the stage.

A lot of touring houses stretch a line across the prosc whilst the pit is down, removing it for opening night.

 

... yes indeed, as I remarked on in the footnote ...

 

I have yet to see a barrier intended to prevent a fall left in place during a performance. I have of course seen stage sets incorporating raised platforms with barriers designed into them, eg staircases or balconies with balustrades, etc, but just as regularly seen apparently unguarded platforms used safely with appropriate risk assessment and method statements in place.

 

However, in this example, I was specifically referring to the front edge of the stage where any barrier during the performance would be somewhat contra-indicated if the audience is to see the performance. Perhaps someone out there knows of an example of this?

[the kid]

IIR the rule used to be 2m that changed with WaH (2005?) and now its "what you feel is safe".

 

We work to 2m rule and brace it + hand rails and kicks.

[Smiffy]

Most of the R&R Gigs I deal with vary between 1.2 and 2m Height at the DS End. Average is probably 1.2m. I've never seen a handrail at the DS end.

 

Cheers

 

Smiffy

[w/robe]

IIR the rule used to be 2m that changed with WaH (2005?) and now its "what you feel is safe".

 

We work to 2m rule and brace it + hand rails and kicks.

 

There were lots of sets before 2005 where you could walk under upper levels that did not have hand rails.

 

I costumed an opera which was Production Managed by andy_s with a 3 storey set (stage +2) where the 1st. floor sloped from USR up to DSL with no rail on the front.

[sleah]

While planning for the annual Fashion Show recently, I was 'informed' that there should really be handrails along the Catwalk :D as the platform is 1m high.

The stage apron is a tad over 1m and they step down about 3inches to the Catwalk (8x4 steeldeck) which is 1m high. Been doing it for 10+ years and no-one has fallen off yet.

I 'mark' the edge with rubberlight which is on whenever anyone is actually on the Catwalk.

 

Methinks the person at work has been 'told' about the 1m rule....... our H&S type people do tend not to be great at proper research :P

 

Oh, they didn't suggest the apron should have a permanent handrail, seeing as it's used most days for assemblies and so on :huh: