USITT Observes NAOSH Week, Now Through May 10

In honor of North American Occupational Safety and Health Week May 4-10, USITT is spreading the word -- #safety --about the importance of workplace safety in the performing arts and entertainment industry.

May 7 is being celebrated as OSHP Day - honoring Occupational Safety and Health Professionals around the world.

USITT is putting renewed emphasis on safety programs, and recently changed the name of its former Health & Safety Commission to the Safety & Health Commission, to reflect the mission of "Safety first."

USITT's safety programs include:

- The Rigging Safety Initiative, which provides free stage rigging inspections and

safety training at high school stages across the country. USITT has accepted 77 schools in 24 states into the program since it was founded with sponsor JR Clancy in 2011. (See www.usitt.org/rigsafe.)

- Support for the national Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP), an industry-wide training and testing program setting standards for electricians and stage riggers working in the performing arts and entertainment, and

- This year's launch of eSET, the Essential Skills for the Entertainment Technician program, which will establish basic skills required for technicians in several industry disciplines, including lighting, sound, special effects, multimedia, and more.

USITT also is strengthening its alliance with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees. The USITT-OSHA-IATSE Alliance aims to standardize safe practices in the entertainment industry, including fall protection, electrical, ergonomics, and powered platforms.

NAOSH Week was founded in 1997 by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, to raise awareness of occupational safety and health to workers around the world. For more information, visit www.naosh.org.

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is the 4,000-member national association of performing arts and entertainment designers and technicians, www.usitt.org.