From our earliest days, we are constantly warned about various dangers in our lives, and we can all remember advice like the “stop, look and listen” before crossing train tracks or avoiding taking candy from strangers. And each of these have obvious physical signs, such as being wary of people you don’t know or hearing the clanging bells, flashing/swinging semaphores and the unmistakable Doppler shift from the roar of an approaching freight train. All good reasons to think twice.
On-The-Job Hazards
For those of us in the production biz, we’ve long been schooled about job hazards, such as not standing under loads being hoisted, the protective advantages offered by steel-toed shoes and work gloves during load-ins and set-ups, bending your knees before lifting or the need for properly grounded electrical systems, whether in clubs or from generators at outdoor events. (For more on the latter, see Phil Graham’s excellent three-part series on the subject (part 1, part 2, part 3), which concludes with this issue.) In fact, one of handiest tools to have (way cheaper than insurance) is a pocket AC receptacle tester (pictured left). Priced under $10, these have LEDs that glow to indicate reversed hot/neutral wiring, ungrounded outlets, etc. I’m constantly surprised how many improperly wired AC outlets I find, particularly in clubs or older buildings.
Certainly over the past few years, there has also been a greatly heightened awareness about stage and structure issues — a good thing. Even artists are double-checking staging, as reported last month in FOH (July 2013, page 5), where Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo refused to perform on a fairgrounds stage, which — judging from the online pictures — looked highly unstable.
Weather — especially this year — has been on everyone’s mind, and distant storms, hurricanes and tornados are definitely something to keep tabs on. And some production companies and tours have turned to various online systems that provide warnings about approaching trouble, as reported by Dan Daley in his “The Biz” column in FOH’s May issue (page 48).
An Invisible Threat
Yet not all weather dangers are so obvious. Our cover story focuses on last month’s Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert, which raised funds for tornado victims in central Oklahoma. Through a generous effort by all concerned — the production companies, the musicians and crew — the event was an overwhelming success, packing the University of Oklahoma stadium with a record-setting crowd of more than 60,000 country music fans. Less fortunate that day, perhaps were more than 1,200 audience members who suffered heat-related symptoms, with 21 requiring evacuation to local hospitals for further care.
Unfortunately, health problems caused by heat are often invisible, yet can lead to serious injuries and even death. These are particularly serious in the work environment, especially with this year’s strange and bizarre weather patterns. For anyone doing outdoor shows, festivals and fairs this summer, it’s important to look out both for yourself and your crew.
Besides providing a supply of cool water and shaded rest areas, it’s important to remind workers to frequently drink small amounts of water before they become thirsty to maintain good hydration. During moderate activity, in moderately hot conditions, at least one pint of water per hour is needed — and more is required under extreme conditions. Simply telling your crew to drink plenty of fluids is not sufficient.
It’s also essential to be aware of the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The symptoms of heat exhaustion are headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, confusion, thirst, heavy sweating and a body temperature greater than 100.4°F. Far more serious is heat stroke, which occurs when the body’s temperature regulating system fails and body temperature rises to critical levels (greater than 104°F) and may even stop sweating. The signs of heat stroke are confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. First aid measures may involve moving the person to a cooler. shaded spot, loosening clothing, covering the person with cold, wet compresses/towels or even ice packs, but if there’s any uncertainty about the onset of heat stroke, it’s time to call 911 and get professional help.
Of course, even better than first aid is avoiding the possibilities of heat-related conditions in the first place. And maybe a good reason to invest in an inexpensive “pop-up” shade for your FOH position before that next street fair. So be aware, watch out for yourself and your crew, stay safe, travel smart and be cool!
