The Event Safety Podcast

Many of us got our first taste of “the life” in our high school theater program. What if there was a framework for developing and evaluating the skills and knowledge we acquired back then? In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle sits down Kristi Ross-Clausen and Dana Taylor, two developers of the USITT BACKstage Exam (Basic and Comprehensive Knowledge Exam for High School Technical T...

Conference season is in full swing, which included the successful return of the USITT Conference earlier this month. In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve talk with outgoing USITT Executive Director David Grindle about lessons learned from at this year’s event, adjusting to changing COVID protocols, new program features, CTE training for high school students, improving di...

The USITT Conference is this week, and what better way to celebrate then a new Event Safety Podcast episode on Broadway touring?! In this episode Danielle and Steve talk with NETworks Tours Senior Production Manager Hector Guivas about safety at touring theatrical productions. Discussion topics include using modeling to enhance safety, working across diverse and often challenging venues, coordinat...

To the bridge! In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, we expand on last episode’s conversation about the Incident Command System with a look at where the ICS magic happens - the command center. Danielle and Steve are joined once again by Tami Richter and John Badcock from SXSW, along with event control room specialist Chrissie Gilbert for a discussion on ideal room setup, technology, personn...

We’re back with the first Event Safety Podcast of 2022! In this episode, Danielle and Steve are joined by Tami Richter and John Badcock from SXSW for a conversation about applying the Incident Command System to event operations. They discuss the foundational principles of ICS, the benefits of its use, integrating ICS to your event plans, and much more.

From airplanes and grocery stores to stadiums and other event spaces, we are living through an unprecedented era of grievance and conflict. Ushers and event security are on the front lines of this battle between health and safety versus aggressively-held assertions of personal liberties. In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, we rebroadcast a session from our recent Event Safety TV broadcast...

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Steve and Danielle take a look at the newly-released ANSI ES1.4-2021 Event Fire Safety Requirements standard with the chair of the fire safety working group, ESA’s own Dr. Donald Cooper. They discuss the importance of this new standard, the thinking behind its development, how it was created and approved, topics covered and more.

Time to clip in and join us for another edition of The Event Safety Podcast! In this episode, Danielle and Steve examine the hazards of working at height with Rigging and Safety Manager Phil Van Hest. Topics of discussion include mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPS), applicable standards, rescue planning, training, inspections, and much more. This episode is brought to you by Bigger Hammer Produ...

Attention safety nerds! It’s time to break out the bookmark, make space on the bookshelf, or dust off that Kindle. In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve share some of their favorite safety-related (or safety-adjacent) books, as well as a number of excellent user-submitted recommendations. Whether you’re into behavioral psychology, history, or just a good safety manual the...

A lot can change in a few short months. With the Delta variant surging and many jurisdictions reinstituting COVID-19 restrictions, Danielle and Steve check in with Morgan Deane ( New York Independent Venues Association , Lasher Louis Productions ) and Erica Fee ( Rochester Fringe Festival ) for a look at how they’re adjusting operations to account for our new (old) reality. Discussion includes New...

After more than a year without events, being back to ‘normal’ can feel a little bit.. abnormal. In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve share their thoughts on ESA’s first in-person appearance since Winter 2020 as part of Summer NAMM in Nashville. They discuss what it was like being in a full-capacity, largely unmasked environment after more than a year, the challenges of n...

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast we dive into the often complicated world of insurance with Scott Carroll ( Take1 Insurance ), David Cloward ( Hub Entertainment ), Susan McGuirl ( Hub Entertainment ) and Peter Tempkins ( Hub Entertainment ). They explore why insurance is important, what coverage event professionals should carry, why one’s classification as a contractor vs. and employee...

As many of us return to work, we do so with a measure of uncertainty, and in some cases a great level of concern. Rarely has mental health been more at the forefront for our workforce. Looking out for yourself & those around you is now possibly your most important skill. In this episode of the The Event Safety Podcast, ESA President Jim Digby discusses Mental Health First Aid training with Product...

Can you require your employees to be vaccinated? Can you ask your guests to show proof of vaccination before entry? Can you legally eject patrons for disregarding your event’s mask mandate? And what the heck does HIPAA stand for, anyway?! In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Steve Adelman puts on his attorney cap and provides a legal perspective on these and other timely COVID-related “con...

One year after experiencing one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the United States, New York’s live event industry is on the road to recovery. In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, we take a ground-level look at reopening with two New York-based professionals, Christine Jones (Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts) and Erica Fee (Rochester Fringe Festival). We discuss how recent changes...

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, we recap a conversation Danielle and special co-host Kristi Ross-Clausen had with Tony Award-winning sound designer Jessica Paz about the “No More 10 out of 12s” campaign, and how this working model negatively impacts safety, productivity, mental/physical health, and overall quality of life. While the movement originated in the theatre world, the issues...

In this special episode of the The Event Safety Podcast, ESA President Jim Digby is joined by Meegan Holmes (Global Sales Manager, 8th Day Sound) and R. Christopher Maxwell (Vice President of Production Artists, Black Theatre Caucus) for a dialog on emotional safety in the workplace. They explore the direct connection between representation and safety, unrecognized behaviors that can negatively im...

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve chat with Greg Guzzetta and Patty Padilla of Safe Haus Group about their venture and experience managing COVID-19 compliance for one of the highest profile events in recent memory, the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. Links: Safe Haus Group Website Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, we talk electrical safety with author, ETCP-recognized instructor, and self-described "lighting guy" Richard Cadena. Join us as we discuss common electrical hazards in the entertainment space, why bypassing or altering equipment is a recipe for disaster, a few must-have tools for your safety toolkit, and the upcoming release of Richard's latest book. Li...

With theaters reopening in many parts of the country, we take a look at bringing your counterweight rigging systems back online with Ethan Gilson of Entertainment Rigging Services. Topics include the inspection process, failure points to focus on, regaining your muscle memory after an extended shutdown, and more. LINKS: Entertainment Rigging Services Shackles, Burlap, and Lies (Podcast)

Show Notes: Diversify the Stage Diversity Panel Resource List About Diversify the Stage: Diversify The Stage was founded by Noelle Scaggs , co-lead vocalist of alt-pop band Fitz And The Tantrums , in the spring of 2020, with a focus on transforming the concert, events, and touring industries to increase more diverse representation. The organization counts on the support of industry professionals a...

In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve chat with University Instructor, Ph. D. Candidate, and event professional Dede Hamm on research she’s conducting into the beliefs of event security workers, and how you can participate in the project. About This Research: My name is Dede Hamm and I am a Ph. D. candidate at Iowa State University working on my dissertation about validat...

What steps should you take when putting gear back into service after long periods of disuse? In this episode of The Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve chat with Elmer Veith of Reliable Design Services about the care and feeding of your rigging equipment. Discussion includes relevant ANSI standards, inspection of hoists & truss, questions to ask your vendor when renting equipment, and more.

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, we take a (non-political) look at some important crowd-related lessons event professionals can glean from the unrest at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Topics include the difference between crowd management and crowd control, the importance of intelligence gathering, timely evacuation, leading vs pushing a crowd, security’s engagement with...

While the pandemic has brought most event production to a halt, theatrical integrators and installers continue to work regularly. In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve chat with Chris Barbee ( Bandit Lites ) and Brian Phillips ( Productions Unlimited, Inc ) about how the recent pandemic has affected their operations, how safety impacts design and integration, and what cha...