Productions

MainStage Production Manual: Health, Safety and Security

The School of Theatre and Film takes the issues of safety very seriously. It is vitally important that the production environment remain a safe place for individuals to work. The School of Theatre and Film wants to protect you from hazards of the workplace and prepare you to handle any emergencies that might occur. The School of Theatre and Film has a continuing commitment to the prevention of accidents and injuries, the protection of property, and the proper training in all areas of theatrical safety and health.

Emergencies and accidents are unpredictable and can happen at any time or place. It is important to familiarize yourself with the following procedures in case of an emergency.

ASU has a Public Safety Department that can be reached for emergency response by dialing 9-1-1 from a campus phone, or by dialing 965-3456 from a campus phone or cell phone for non-emergency responses. Tell the dispatcher your on-campus location and the nature of the emergency (accident, illness, fire, etc.). A cell phone call to 9-1-1 will call a central Phoenix emergency operator. In this case, you must tell the dispatcher you are calling from ASU, and give the name and approximate location of the building you are in.

IN AN EMERGENCY

Call for emergency help:

1. From a campus phone, call DPS at 9-1-1;
2. From a cell or pay phone, call Emergency Services at 9-1-1 and tell them you are calling from ASU, with the name and approximate location of the building;

Give the following information:

1. Your name;
2. Your location (including ASU campus, building name, and location on campus);
3. Where the victim(s) is located;
4. The type or nature of the emergency (accident, illness, fire, etc.);
5. A call back number;

Notify a supervisor and contact the Production Manager at 480-560-6326;

Do not hang up until the emergency dispatcher hangs up.

When an Accident Occurs

First Aid kits are located at the following locations:

1. Galvin Scene Shop
2. Lyceum Scene Shop
3. In the Stage Manager kits
4. In the Costume Shop
5. In the Galvin House Manager’s office
6. In the Lyceum Box Office
7. In the prop warehouse
8. In the costume storage warehouse
9. In School of Theatre and Film vehicles

First aid kits are stocked with items for treating minor injuries like bruises, cuts, sprains, and splinters.

For more serious accidents or injuries, contact a staff or faculty supervisor, and call 9-1-1.

Reporting Accidents

All accidents or injuries, no matter how small, must be reported to the School of Theatre and Film as soon as possible, and in no case later than twenty-four (24) hours after the incident. See stage management, the Production Manager or the School of Theatre and Film office for an accident reporting form.

Insurance

Students should maintain their own insurance. They should see Student Health for treatment of minor wounds, or the nearest emergency room for more serious problems.

Evacuation Procedures

Step 1: If a fire or any type of emergency exists, you must evacuate your area.

Individual who discovers fire must ensure Steps 2 and 3 occur before attempting to fight a fire using the PASS (Pull, Aim, Sweep) method.

Step 2: Activate the fire alarm by pulling the red pull station.

Designated Areas of Rescue Assistance
If an occupant is unable to evacuate from the 2nd floor, they must proceed to the closest and safest rescue assistance area. Advise ASU DPS Dispatch Center by calling 9-1-1 of their location and that they are unable to leave the facility.

Designated Areas of Rescue Assistance are to be established on each floor in the [Bulding/School of Theatre and Film].

Step 3: Call 9-1-1 from a campus telephone.

When a confirmed fire exists, it is critical to inform ASU DPS Dispatch Center of the following information: Provide building address and fire location: ASU Tempe Campus, [Building and/or School of Theatre and Film]

Step 4: Evacuate the building whenever the fire alarm sounds.

Close any doors, leave the building and relocate to a safe, designated area for accountability.

Step 5: Reassemble at safe location and verify accountability.

Establish a Primary designated staging area

Establish a Secondary designated staging area (use only if Primary Area cannot be accessed)
All occupants must reassemble at the designated staging area away from the building. Directors proceed with taking attendance of School of Theatre and Film employees to ensure everyone is accounted for. If it is known that someone is still in the building, notify the emergency response personnel (either DPS or Fire Battalion Chief) with the information and their location within the facility.

Step 6: Do not re-enter until authorized by emergency personnel.

Reporting a Fire

If you discover a fire, remain calm and follow this procedure:

1. Pull the nearest Fire Alarm;
2. Evacuate the area;
3. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location;
4. Notify the Production Manager at 480-560-6326.

Reporting a Telephone Threat

Bomb threats are an act of terrorism. All bomb threats shall be taken seriously until everyone’s safety is confirmed. Any suspected bomb threat must be reported to 9-1-1 and the Production Manager at 480-560-6326 immediately.

If you are on the telephone with the person making the threat, do the following:

1. Remain calm. Keep your voice steady and do not alarm the caller;
2. Do not transfer the call;
3. Treat the call like any normal order of business. Think and act quickly.
4. Ask:
   1. WHO is calling? is the intended target?
   2. WHAT are you intending to do?
   3. WHERE will it happen?
   4. WHEN will it take place?
   5. WHY are you doing this?
5. Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Take notes while you are talking, including the exact time of call and the exact words of the caller.
6. Call 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher you have received a telephone threat. Answer all questions, referring to your notes. If you don’t know an answer, say so.
7. REMEMBER: If you call from a cell or pay phone, tell the dispatcher you are calling from ASU.
8. Contact the Production Manager immediately at 480-560-6326.

Building Security/Access

You must help us keep our facilities secure. The School of Theatre and Film shall check out a minimal number of keys to stage management for rehearsal room access, which must be signed out from the School of Theatre and Film production office and returned to the office after the production has moved to the theatre. Theatre keys may be exchanged, if necessary, when the production moves to the theatre. All keys must be returned to the School of Theatre and Film production office within forty-eight (48) hours of the production’s closing performance. Your grades may be withheld if you have keys you have not turned in.

You may have to let Actors into buildings for rehearsal on weekends or evenings. Buildings may be locked after business hours. Do not block doors open. You may assign a student to watch the door until a few minutes after the call time. As a Stage Manager or Director, have your Actors call you to be let in. At the end of rehearsal on an evening or weekend, lock your room doors, and check that no exterior doors are unlocked or blocked open. If you see anything suspicious, call campus security at 965-3456, and ask them to send someone to walk through and lock down the building.

Do not let anyone into the building through the emergency exits located in each rehearsal room. Entrance to the FAC is through the main 10th Street doors only.