[SML] Flying Effects / Aerial Dance, Liability, and "Certification"

[Kristi R-C]

Some things are best left to the professionals who do them frequently. Flying performers is one of those things. 

Just because you know how to use a pair of pliers doesn't make you a dentist. 

This one is a non-negotiable in my book. You either use a pro or you don't do it. 

Kristi R-C

> On Feb 1, 2016, at 11:37 AM, Richard Niederberg via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> 
> Dear Stephen,
> I concur that you should bring in a VERY well-insured professional. If your institution is self-insured, or even if it is not, your program could be cut back severely if an accident causing death or severe bodily harm occured.
> /s/ Richard
> _________
> 
>> On Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 8:51 AM, Stephen Litterst via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>> On 2/1/16 11:42 AM, Damon Gelb via Stagecraft wrote:
>> 
>>> At issue now is that some of the faculty and department chair are
>>> wondering why we - meaning myself as TD and and my assistant - cannot
>>> get "certified" to do the work ourselves rather than continue to pay
>>> to have the work professionally designed and installed.  My response
>>> is that there are professionals and companies who deal with these
>>> types of specific flying effects for good reason.  Yet the grumbling
>>> continues...So here is what I am wondering.  How have you, as a TD or
>>> rigger at a venue dealt with this when asked?  Am I being to strict in
>>> drawing the line by saying I won't do a simple raise / lower system
>>> for theatre piece?  Would any professionals on the list be willing to
>>> share statements or documentation to support my claim that flying -
>>> ANY flying - must and should be handled by a professional flying
>>> company?'
>> 
>> I'd suggest having a chat with your campus risk-management office. I'd be willing to bet the cost of bringing in a professional flying expert is much less than expanding your institution's insurance coverage to cover doing it in-house. Find out those numbers and take that to your department chair.
>> 
>> Steve L.
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Stephen Litterst            Technical Operations Supervisor
>> litterst at udel.edu           Mitchell Hall
>> 302/831-0601                University of Delaware
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> /s/ Richard
> _________
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