Mechanical Design for the Stage

13

Safety

General Concepts

Mechanical effects can present many inherent dangers, ranging from pinch points within the machine to multi-ton wagons traversing a dark stage. Safety considerations must be paramount from the very beginning of the design process, and before attempting any mechanical effect, careful consideration must be given to all possible hazards. While it is impossible to eliminate all risks from any design, there are many factors to consider which can greatly affect the safety of any given effect.

As the mechanical designer of an effect, you are both ethically responsible and legally liable for your designs. It is up to you to ensure that you recognize both your abilities and limitations, and work within them. No effect should ...