Nomad Theatre Fire and General Theatre Safety Information for Members

The Nomad Theatre Group

Fire and General Theatre Safety Information for Members

 

Policy Date: 12 July 2022 Revision Due Date: 31 July 2023

 

As a member of the Nomads you are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of others.

U.K. Health and Safety law treats our working members (actors, crew, wardrobe, bar, front-of-house, box office etc.) as ‘employees’. The Nomad Theatre Group is obliged to ensure a safe-working place for these ‘employees’, and to provide training information on safety in the Theatre.

You are expected to be familiar with the hazards (things that can cause harm) and safety arrangements provided in the theatre.

This document presents a summary of these general hazards and safety arrangements. More specific information is provided for those trained to operate hazardous equipment. Actors and crew receive a show-specific briefing by the Stage Manager on hazards before the technical rehearsal.

It is a condition of membership that you read, understand, and comply with safety arrangements in the theatre. Payment of your annual membership subscription is an acknowledgement of this.

New members receive a tour of the Theatre with a member of the Management Team or Production Manager during which the general hazards and safety features are pointed out.

If anything is unclear to you, please ask a member of the Management Team or Production Manager.

If you have any suggestions as to how this document may be improved, please contact the Training Manager who is Tom Stevenson ([email protected]).

The Nomad Council reserves the right after due process to remove from membership any member who disregards this information.

 

FIRE SAFETY

Copies of the Nomad Theatre Fire Notice (Appendix) are displayed around the building. Please read and absorb.

In the event of a fire, the alarm will sound.

You must obey any instructions given by company management (stage manager, front-of-house staff).

You must leave by the nearest available exit. Do not attempt to retrieve your belongings.

Emergency exits are located in: foyer corridor, main foyer, Bob King Room, Bob King corridor, and stage door. A high level escape ladder is accessible from the fly gallery.

Help anyone who has limited mobility. Evacuation chairs are located in 3 places: outside office, outside workshop store, and at head of stage door staircase.

The Assembly Area is through the arch, on the grass opposite the Bishopsmead Parade shops.

 

If you encounter a fire

If the alarm has not already been triggered by the smoke detectors, shout ‘Fire!’ and break the nearest fire alarm glass to trigger the alarm.

Only try to tackle the fire if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.

  • Foam extinguishers are suited to fires involving combustible materials (wood, paper, textiles). They have a cream label and are located in 8 places: box office, right hand of stage door exiting into the metal staircase stairwell, workshop, outside paint store, opposite stage door, outside office, and in dressing rooms 1 & 2.
  • CO2 extinguishers are suited to electrical fires. They have a black label and are located in 5 places: behind bar, kitchen, workshop, back of stage, and in fly gallery.
  • Fire blankets are located in 6 places: kitchen, at rear of rehearsal room, SM desk, and in all three dressing rooms. If a person’s clothing has caught fire they should be placed in a horizontal position (to avoid flames reaching their face and hair) and wrapped in the blanket.

 

In respect of fire safety

  • You must not interfere with the equipment provided.
  • You must keep emergency exits and areas marked with fluorescent tape clear.
  • You must not prop open or obstruct self-closing doors, fire doors with retainers and self-closing shutters.
  • You must not store combustible materials underneath the stage or in the area beneath the steel staircase.
  • You must dispose of combustible rubbish (especially sawdust and paper) promptly and safely.
  • You must not park your car in front of a fire exit.

 

GENERAL SAFETY IN THE THEATRE

In moving around the building, you should be aware of the particular hazards that can arise in the theatre environment.

There may be trip hazards on the floor and items hanging from above. Large objects have to be moved around; things may not be what they appear to be. People work at heights, and space is limited. You need to take care at all times.

Before moving anything, look around to see if others could be affected; is the object’s destination clear? What could go wrong?

Often jobs in the theatre require two or more people. Do not try to move things by yourself if they are heavy or if sightlines are limited. Ask for help.

Theatres can be dirty places, paint can be splashed around. Loose clothes, sandals, jewellery and long hair can present a trip or snagging hazard. Wear clothing and footwear appropriate to your task.

Safety equipment (safety helmets, goggles, gloves, masks, ear defenders or ear plugs & a reflective jacket.) is provided in the workshop. Please use it.

Clear up as you go. Sweep up sawdust and spillages. Dispose of off-cut wood safely in the bins provided. The job is not done until you have cleaned up.

Working alone is strongly discouraged. Do not carry out any hazardous operations (for example heavy lifting or climbing a ladder) if there is no one nearby to help.

Some members are trained and authorised to use hazardous equipment, namely

  • Flying
  • Circular saw
  • Manual handling (of heavy and cumbersome objects)
  • Revolve, traps and under-stage
  • Lighting rigging
  • Ladders

If you have not been authorised, you must not use these items.

If you bring your own tools into the Theatre we assume that you are competent to use them. You must not lend your tools to others, who may not be so competent.

If you are under the age of 18 you require the express consent of the Technical Manager (or his nominee) to work in the Theatre in any technical capacity.

If you are using a computer work station please make sure the equipment meets your requirements and take regular breaks.

Smoking and naked flames are prohibited in the Theatre, unless required by the action of a show, when they must be specifically approved by the Nomad Council.

First Aid boxes are provided at the following locations

  • Ground floor: the Box Office, the Stage Manager’s desk, the Workshop, the Studio, the Kitchen.
  • First floor: the upstairs corridor opposite the Board Room / The office, Dressing Room 1, Dressing Room 2.

All accidents in the Theatre must be reported, in the first instance (during a show) to the stage manager for cast and crew or FOH for audience, or at other times to the Duty Manager or a member of the management team. The Accident Book is kept at the Box Office desk.

 

 

 

NOMAD THEATRE FIRE NOTICE

Remember, show duty of care to the public but not at your own risk

 

ACTION ON DISCOVERING A FIRE

 

ALERT Shout fire and alert everyone around you. Sound the nearest fire alarm.

 

REPORT Tell someone to call the fire brigade on 999.

State that there is a fire at the

Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade,

EAST HORSLEY,

KT24 6RT

And remind them that access to the theatre is restricted by the arch.

 

EVACUATE Stage Manager should guide cast and crew out of the building by the stage door.

F.O.H should guide the audience out through the rear of the auditorium and the main double doors. Otherwise leave by the nearest exit.

 

DO NOT STOP TO COLLECT BELONGINGS

 

DO NOT LET ANYONE USE THE LIFTS

DO NOT LET ANYONE MOVE THEIR CAR

There are special carrying chairs for those who cannot walk.

 

Only try to put out the fire if you are sure it is safe to do so. There are extinguishers all around the building.

 

FOAM FOR PAPER, WOOD, AND FABRIC, LIQUIDS eg PETROL and PAINT

 

CO2 FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND GASES

 

ASSEMBLY POINT Everyone should head for the grassy area in front of the shops. The road must be kept clear for the fire brigade.