A new code of conduct governing the safety of working patterns for theatrical touring productions will soon be trialled.
The code has been jointly developed by the Theatrical Management Association and the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU), in recognition of the need for venues and touring companies to be fully compliant with health and safety legislation, and to establish a common approach.
The detail of the document, which sets standards regarding the arrangements for get-ins and get-outs of touring stage productions, was discussed on 4 March at the TMA’s Touring Symposium. The code covers staffing levels, loading and unloading, training of staff, protective equipment, and alcohol and drug misuse.
Willy Donaghy, BECTU’s supervisory official, told SHP that a trial at a number of venues and touring productions could start soon — possibly in the next month. The TMA wants the code to be fully adopted by autumn 2010.
One area of dispute surrounds the length of the code’s checklist, which asks a number of questions about staffing, loading, and reporting issues.
But Donaghy dismissed suggestions in the theatre press that the code could force companies to employ more technicians to comply with working-time legislation. The code states that workers should be given an absolute minimum break of eight consecutive hours in any 24-hour period, and working hours should be limited to a maximum of 16 hours in any 24-hour period.
Said Donaghy: “If there is a marginal increase in costs that improve health and safety for our members, then it is money well spent. The industry has acknowledged that it has to get its act together in this area.”
His comments were echoed by Kathleen Hamilton, principal officer at the TMA, who said: “You’ve got to bite the bullet on this because this is health and safety and you have to make this investment.”
