[Usittne] Trip Lips

[Timothy McKenna]

Years ago when I was a stage tech we had a blind student actor.  

At his suggestion we screwed a 1/4" strip of luaun, 24" deep about one foot from the downstage edge of the stage, we painted it to ook likke the rest of the design on the floor.  

If the student stepped on it, he know how far he was from the lip, but it did NOT create a tripping danger.  Also he, and other actors could stand on the strip, and still know where they were in relation to the edge of the stage.  If they felt the down stage edge of the luaun with thier feet, they know they were 24" from the edge.  

Our orchestra pit at Holyoke Community College was made of platforms that could be installed level with the stage, 4' deep; and 8' deep.  

We never had a fall into the pit when I was there.  

Hope this helps.  - Tim  



________________________________________
From: usittne-bounces at MIT.EDU [usittne-bounces at MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Michael Katz [mkatz at MIT.EDU]
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 9:40 AM
To: USITT New England Section Mail List
Subject: Re: [Usittne] Trip Lips

Wow The TD's are up Early this morning 8 replies between 8:43 and 9 30 this morning.
I will through my 2 cents in for no trip lip and an led line 6" from the stage edge to notify actors of the edge. I would stay away from EL (electro luminescent) wire as it is neither robust nor water loving. IE. El dies easily and do not mop it.  If the administration does not listen to you, when you voice your concern I would ask them to bring in a theater consultant or an entertainment safety consultant. Osha acknowledges that we in theater must be safe and also put on a show. Documented TTraining can replace railings on leading edges during performances for instance where in any other venue railing would be required with no room for discussion.
Mike

-----
Michael Katz
mkatz at mit.edu<mailto:mkatz at mit.edu>
Technical Instructor
MIT Theater Arts
Rinaldi Production Center
34 Carleton St E33-110
Cambridge MA 02142
617.253.0824 Desk
617.258.7149 Fax

Lunacy Abounds



On Apr 13, 2012, at 8:43 AM, Deanna Stuart wrote:

I’m being told to install  a trip lip on the front edge of my stage by the OSHA consultant my school has brought in.  Has anyone else been asked to do this?  I don’t think I am seeing them when I visit other theatres, but I wanted to check around before I start pushing back.
Thanks!

Deanna Jane Stuart
Head of Theatre
Brooks School
978.725-6300x3292
dstuart at brooksschool.org<mailto:dstuart at brooksschool.org>


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