Rank: New forum user 
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I'm curious to know how the W&H Regs apply to singers/actors and the like when performing on stages.
In my line of work we have to have edge protection, harnesses and so on, even when working on similar heights you would see artists performing on, flat back wagons being a good example.
I'm curious to know where the duty lies here, even if signing a waiver they must be in breach?
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Rank: Super forum user
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I see your comment about waivers - they are meaningless and have no basis in h&s law. EMployers cannot signaway their obligations in this way.
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 1 user thanked Ian Bell2 for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The law absolutely applies to them, but that doesn't mean that enforcement follows as the basis of compliance derives from an assessment of risk. Suitable and sufficient, reasonably practicable and all that jazz. ;)
In me yoof I've performed on stage and some (I'm looking at you Richmond Theatre) have a serious rake so I'm not saying that there is no risk - but I don't believe that actors and the like are generally falling off stages UK wide. Obviously it HAS happened but I suspect it's very uncommon whereas construction workers and the like etc. falling from leading edges, dropping items off edges onto others or falling through fragile surfaces isn't.
No hard statistics to back up my hunch about numbers though and I'd then be massively speculating if I tried to suggest why that might be. I guess, rightly or wrongly, there has always been a degree of latitude ensconced within 'reasonably practicable' for artistic performance.
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1 user thanked Xavier123 for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user 
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I too have performed on stage in numerous productions and safety is something that is taken seriously even in amateur shows. There will be a line (sometimes marked by tape) on the stage floor about a foot or two back from the edge which no one will be allowed to cross. Similarly when staging on platforms or scenery (stairways and mezzanines) there will also be the same considerations.
However more recently I've been to numerous concerts (including Kylie) where all the platforms we enclosed with handrails and the stairs had hand rails. Generally choreography on these platforms is usually simple and not very energetic so the performers aren't put at unnecessary risk. I can only go by what a friend of mine who worked in theatre safety for years before emigrating told me - the risk is minimised as far as possible by designing it out through staging and movement and choreography. Not ideal but it seems to work with few issues!
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1 user thanked Natasha.Graham for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Interesting points thus far. I noticed, or rather didnt notice, any form of hazard markings at the edge of stages when recently watching Glastonbury on tv. In addition, during the dark hours, lights occassionally get dimmed however the singer is still right on the edge of the stage, often using the monitors to stand on. It seems that the only thing saving the singer or whoever it is performing from injury is their own stagecraft. Lest not forget anyone below who might be landed on, security, photography (we can ignore the crowd these days at large events, they're usually miles back!) and also any performer may be under the influence one way or the other thus judgement could be impaired.
If HSE visited my place of work and observed people working at height where my only control measure was 'they know where the edge is' I seriously doubt that would stand up.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Musicians falling off stages is very rock and roll though.
Ben Folds wrote a song called Hiroshima all about the time he did exactly that in Japan and tried to carry on playing.
For more high profile musicians it is a lot harder to suggest they aren't fundamentally accepting of the level of risk in some of acts and actions they undertake whilst on stage. For dancers etc. that might be less true.
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