Safety Progress

The wheels are finally in motion to create a truly safe working environment at the theatre. When I first arrived safety handbooks had been issued and waivers signed to create the facade of a safety. Unfortunately it took the fire inspector's swift kick to create any follow through on our own guidelines.

But at least, after the finger pointing and in fighting, safety proceeds. The production manager created a checklist for each space. Monthly inspections are to be implemented. New power supplies were bought for the shop, enabling us to function once again. Stair landings were cleared of many useless items.

Many problems still remain...

We should have respirators with our lack of proper ventilation.

We shouldn't have to run cords to our machines in the first place, if broken outlets were to be repaired.

We should have a flammables cabinet for our spray paints and adhesive.

We should be handicap accessible, but on the third floor, that issue will never be resolved.

We should have smoke detectors and a sprinkler system to aide the two small extinguishers we were provided.

We should have a first aide kit more substantial than the shoe box full of band aides and gauze my co-worker and I compiled.

But baby steps are at least steps. Now with regular safety inspections, an open line of communication has been created. We have a lot left to do in the next few weeks to still get us up to a passable standard. But every little bit is helping.