Safety changes give the Drama Building a re-birth…
by Steven Lewis Warner, Lecturer, Technical Director
slw9b@virginia.edu

Steven Warner

In 1974 a building that would house a department of Drama was born.  “Fingers” and “toes” included the Helms and Culbreth theaters and a scenic shop equipped with a paint frame and all the tools a modern 1974 scene shop could want.  Well, the theaters and scenic shop have seen decades pass since their first day of classes.  After 35 years I’m proud to say the Drama Department still makes full use of its spaces.  For the most part the physical plant has remained as it was that first day, but the years have brought some updates and changes.   New carpet smartens up the lobby and Culbreth aisles.  There is new paint on the walls and new seating in the Helms.  We’ve made safety modifications to shop and rigging systems and implemented additional safety training. This newsletter seems a good chance to bring some of these important changes to light.

As of March 2006 a rigging inspection of the Culbreth Hydro Fly system was performed (at our request).  The inspection determined that necessary repair and maintenance of the Hydro System, and its unpredictable nature, were reasons enough to search for funding to install a new, modern, safe system.  Thus, the University has set in motion the acquisition and installation of a new fly system we hope to have in place for the fall 2007 semester, great news for the U.Va. technical direction program.

This isn’t the only good news to share.  The Department also has been nominated (along with the entire College of Arts and Sciences) for the “Virginia Safety Star Award.”  This award, given to only one state agency each year, is a great honor for us, in that past nominations have gone to Facilities Management or similar arms of the University. We’ve been nominated due to the proactive changes we’ve made in safety practices, safety education given to our students, and fall protection.  We’ve incorporated a training program by the local Genie sales representative, providing students with a day-long session on boom lifts, scissor lifts, and personal man lifts.  Such training creates awareness and respect for complex machines, as well as better understanding of personal responsibility for safety while using them.  Fall protection vendors come here to give demonstrations of devices on the market and training in how to use them.  The shop has purchased a new fall arrest system for use in high risk areas. This very flexible system allows students and staff members to work safely in areas previously considered too dangerous.

This is our shop before renovation...

Some simple but key changes in the scenic shop include painting the floor a beautiful light shade of grey, which has improved safety by creating much needed light and enhanced visibility.   We’ve also purchased bright yellow electrical cords and air hoses which make trip hazards far less likely, along with a few new tools: small hand held vacuums for easy, dustless clean ups; portable dust collection systems for the larger tools; a welding fume extractor; a table saw safety guard; and a new table sander, band saw, and jointer.

This is our shop after renovation...

Despite our nomination for this year’s Virginia Safety Star Award we know we have a long way to go to achieve a completely safe working environment for students, faculty and staff.  We are in need of a replacement trap system for the Culbreth stage, which was deemed unsafe several years ago.  A new air evacuation system would create clean, breathable workspaces in our shop.  More training needs to be offered to students in rigging safety, hazardous material safety, and general shop safety.

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