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Posted By JRL
I would welcome your advice concerning the following.
A school for 3-13 year olds frequently holds performances, such as plays or musical concerts, on the purpose built theatre stage (within school grounds). Some confusion has arisen recently concerning the height of props/platforms used in the events on stage.
For example, is it acceptable for children to stand or sit on platforms 3 feet high on the stage? These platforms are of sturdy timber construction but have no guard rails etc.
I am aware of the requirements of the Work at Height Regs. but is there any bespoke guidance which would clarify this issue specifically aimed at school age children?
We obviously have a duty of care towards the children but I want to be reasonable in accomodating the requirements of the play and not wrap them in cotton wool!
Any advice would be welcome.
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Posted By herb1
Just a few random thoughts really.
I would say that there really is no need for guard rails on these platforms for many circumstances. You wouldn't have one on the front of the stage for example. That said if you have a lot of kids trying to occupy a relatively small space it is sometimes an idea to have some handrails to the sides and back.
I'm assuming that these are modular platforms that get moved about as required by the various shows so you will need to look at each case as it occurs really.
Supervision of their behaviour is key and discouraging 'horseplay'.
A decent means of access is something to think about. i.e. some treads/steps to get onto them rather than getting the kids to clamber up 3'.
It is common to mark the edges with white tape to highlight the potential drop.
If you are arranging seats on these platforms for musicians (say) then perhaps a temporary batten can be screwed to the back edge to prevent chairs slipping off the back.
When these platforms get moved about they are often damaged in a minor way and prone to splinters if the kids are sitting on them or shuffling along. Occasionally fabric will be stapled to the front edges to tidy it up and these staples can sometimes be left behind and catch the backs of legs.
Hope this helps
Mike
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Posted By JRL
Thank you both for your help and advice. It is much appreciated.
Jeff.
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Posted By RP
Here's a thing.
I was asked to inspect scaffolding erected on a stage to a height of 1.8m.
Whilst the scaffold had been erected correctly I further investigated what activity would be taking place on it, 'about 50 tap dancers' was the reply. Now this changed things...
On checking the load bearing capacity of the stage and the direction of the stringers I fould that not all standards were placed on a stringer. Ad to that a calculation of 50 x taps multiplied by x,y and z the standards were also too far apart for the intended loading.
The cure for this was to replace standards and add intermediate ones on speader boards and a system of ackro-props under the stage, (free from a local builder). Also adding full guardrails all around in case a tap dancer gets nudged off...
A system of additional bracing was also suggested by the scaffolding contractor, which was installed. now this may seem like overkill but it worked. This was possibly the last time they did it...
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