News & Notices
IATSE, OSHA, USITT Form Alliance for Safety
A new alliance with a goal of improving the communication of industry best-practice information, safety standard guidance and compliance, and training resources to enhance the safety and health of entertainment-industry workers has been approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
USITT and IATSE will share representation on the Alliance Implementation Team, working with OSHA to focus on hazards such as falls, electrical, ergonomics, and powered platforms. David Glowacki, USITT’s Safety & Health Commissioner, has been working on creating to establish this alliance partnership for more than three years as a way to increase the resources available for workers, especially younger workers.
Additional goals of the Alliance are to help standardize safe practices in the industry and foster awareness and understanding of the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
USITT’s board of directors ratified the alliance at its August meeting and appointed Mr. Glowacki to head the Institute’s representatives on the Implementation Team, which is charged with overseeing development of Compliance Assistance Materials and Training Modules, as well as identifying opportunities to share training concerning live event and performance practices with OSHA personnel.
David Grindle, USITT’s Executive Director, noted that this effort will bring industry-wide benefits and help OSHA better understand the opportunities and challenges in creating and presenting live performances.
“Working with OSHA and the IATSE on this has already proved beneficial,” he said. “Moving forward to identify experts and develop and present documentation on industry standards and best practices will build on this collaboration.”
The Implementation Team will also develop one or two training modules each year. These are designed to be included in high school or college curricula or as supplemental modules within OSHA’s 10-Hour Outreach Training Program courses.
The Implementation Team will hold its first meeting later this fall to begin work toward its goals for the year.
