Safety is the centerpiece of any event production, particularly those that include the
installation of scenery. The Entertainment Services & Technology Association
(ESTA) has just made available for public review its draft of American National
Standard for Manual Rigging Systems through November 19, 2002.
The American National Standard describes the design and construction of manually
powered rigging systems to enhance the safety of these systems which are used in
theatres to raise and lower scenery, properties, lighting equipment, and similar
loads over the stage. The standard does not apply to raising and lowering people,
or to motorized systems.
Copies of the document may be obtained from the ESTA website at
www.esta.org/tsp/ or by requesting a copy from ESTA's Technical Standards
Manager by writing via mail, fax, or e-mail. Comments on the document should be
received at the ESTA office before 5 pm EST on November 19. Comments
submitted after the deadline may not be considered in this public review.
The project is an undertaking of the Rigging Working Group, part of the
ANSI-accredited standards committee E1, Safety and Compatibility of
Entertainment Technical Equipment and Practices. The Entertainment Services and
Technology Association is the secretariat for Accredited Standards Committee E1,
and provides administrative support to the committee. Membership in working
groups is open to all who are affected by standards-making in these areas, and
who are willing to actively participate in the group's projects. Membership in ESTA
is not a requirement. For more information, contact Karl G. Ruling, technical
standards manager, 212-244-1505; e-mail: standards@esta.org.
