RISK MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk management is an important part of the theatre world and is sometimes miss understood and many people find

it difficult to be able to conduct a risk assessment or be able to mange the risk at hand in the theatre and the production

itself. The team at Moving Light Productions are able to provice companies with risk assessments, risk management

information and develop risk assessments for the company or show that provides them with a safe environment and all the

necessary paper work required for them to feel safe.

Plan for safety

Moving Light Productions can provide you with a detailed risk assessment based on your particular show that incorporates a fully detailed risk assessment that shows you the risk elements involved with the show, performers,

technicians, etc. The team will go through each scenic element, stage management protocol and view rehearsal elements

making sure that the production elements are meeting the safety standards and the Australian standards.

Safe events are well planned events. In planning your event, whether simple or complex, a risk assessment is essential to ensure no harm is caused to people and that the interests of all stakeholders are protected. A risk assessment will also help ensure the event complies with Australian Occupational Health & Safety Legislation, which requires employers to eliminate reasonably foreseeable hazards and risks to all persons in workplaces.

Risk assessments need not be overcomplicated however all risks need to be carefully considered. If you are unfamiliar with the range of typical event hazards and risks then before using the Risk Assessment Template become familiar with the LPA Safety Guidelines for the Entertainment Industry and refer to the Arts Centre Event Safety Policy which includes a checklist.

If you require additional assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

What is a Risk Assessment?

Risk assessment is the process of estimating the potential effects or harm of a hazard to determine its risk rating. By determining the level of risk, the event planning group can rank risks to systematically eliminate or control the hazards.

What is a Risk Assessment process?

The risk assessment process can be appreciated and applied following five key points:

1 Identify the hazards

Carefully thinking, examining and listing the specific ways people or property may be harmed in the course of the event. This is usually best done by a planning group including those involved in doing the tasks as well as those involved in organizing the event.

2 Assess the risks

Pondering if an identified hazard did cause harm, what would be the consequence, to whom, to what extent, etc. and deliberating on the likelihood of this happening.

3 Evaluate existing controls

Observing if things are already being done to prevent an identified hazard from causing harm. Using a ‘hierarchy of controls’ to judge if these measures are the most effective and ‘reasonably practicable’ ways to eliminate or lower the risk. Applying what is known as the risk assessment ‘matrix’ to determine the level of risk with the existing control measures in place.

4 Implement additional controls

Putting in place additional control measures with reference to the ‘hierarchy of controls’ to eliminate or lower the risk if the existing measures are inadequate and the risk level is intolerable. Substantiating the effectiveness of the additional controls by the ‘matrix’ rating.

5 Review and update

Reviewing and where necessary amending if unforeseen hazards arise, control measures become ineffective and risk ratings change due to unplanned occurrences, such as equipment breakdowns, schedule changes etc. etc.

Terminolgy

Hazard Risk: Essentially an energy source between people and things that when released or uncontrolled has the potential to cause damage.

Risk: A potential injury to person or damage to property from an uncontrolled hazard.

Hierarchy of Control: The event planning group needs to eliminate or reduce the risks identified using the Controls following hierarchy of controls, which describes the order that shall be followed when

choosing among options for controlling hazards.

Elimination removing the hazard entirely by new design, set up, or process

Substitution replacing hazardous materials, processes, set ups or methods with less hazardous alternatives
Engineering improving design to isolate, enclose or contain the hazard Administration

ensuring safe operating procedures, effective training, induction and monitoring is available to all in the workplace
Personal Protective Equipment
making sure that appropriate safety equipment such as gloves, hats, sunscreen etc is available

WHAT MLP CAN PROVIDE FOR YOU

Moving Light Productions can provide you with a full risk assessment and management plan for your production.

We can come and assess your production, through viewing your set, blocking movements, production schedule that can be

looked over to make sure all elements are completed and adhere the 2004 health and safety act.

As part of our process we will give you a full documented inventory of all your risk management processes that will give you a clear idea of managing the risks within the production. Below is an example of our risk assessments and Job Safety Analysis on each particular working format.

What are the hazards and risks?

A HAZARD is defined as a potential to harm the health or safety of a person or damage property.

A RISK is defined as the probability and consequences of illness or injury to a person or damage to property.

The points on this page are intended as prompt/guide for venues & presenters, please ensure that this document is passed onto the relevant production personnel.

1. Time Line. The Risk Assessment should be submitted to the venue no less than 2 weeks prior to bump-in. It is recognised that some RISK documentation may have to be amended after the Bump In, to take into account local venue needs and that some Sign Offs can not occur until the Production is fully in place. In this case documentation should be provided ASAP and a record of changes should be kept by the person preparing the updated paperwork.

2. The Risk Assessment should begin at the concept/design stage,but it MUST include;

 Unload/load notes or instructions.
 Build & rig/ disassemble & de-rig notes or instructions.
 Actual running of show notes and or instructions.
 Plans
 Details of heavy or unusual item of scenery or materials
 Unusual or specific rigging
 Engineers report
 Pyrotechnics
 Loud noises
 Strobe lighting
 Nudity
 Language

3. Supporting Documentation includes but not limited to;

 Flame retardant used.
 For any rigging to be used.
 Plant design approvals where required.
 Any Engineering Certificates
 Material Safety Data Sheet on all material used
 Schedule, also identifying any speciality skills that may be required, eg, fork lift driver, Rigger etc.
 Schedule must be realistic and achievable