The Event Safety Podcast

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...

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve discuss stress and mental health awareness within our industry with Lori Rubinstein ( Behind the Scenes Charity ) and Jim Digby ( Event Safety Alliance ). Areas of conversation include how to recognize when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, available resources, and how you can help yourself and others get through these t...

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, continue our series on safety origin stories, featuring contributions from three new additions to the ESA Board of Directors - Boxer Hardison ( Bigger Hammer Production Services) , Tami Richter ( SXSW ), and Danielle Hernandez ( Furman University ). We also give an early preview of what to expect with the 2020 “Virtual” Event Safety Summit and how you c...

In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve welcome back University of Oklahoma Meteorologist and Certified Emergency Manager Dr. Kevin Kloesel for a discussion on severe weather planning during the pandemic. They explore considerations when deciding to move an “indoor” event outdoors, the importance of reexamining your sheltering capabilities, new challenges with evacuation an...

New week, new episode of the Event Safety Podcast! In celebration of back to school season (at least during normal times), Steve and Danielle chat with stage manager, author, safety consultant, and all-around amazing human Kristi Ross-Clausen about bringing safety education to performing arts programs, including elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. Kristi is a walking encyclopedia of re...

It’s finally here! In this episode, Gentian Event’s Eric Stuart joins Danielle and Steve for a discussion on the newly released ANSI ES1.9 - 2020 Crowd Management Standard. Learn the genesis of the standard, the development process, core components, how it should be utilized, and more.

With most concerts and public fireworks displays on hold during COVID-19, the professional pyrotechnics industry is facing one of the most challenging times in its history. In this episode of the Event Safety Podcast, Danielle and Steve explore the current state of pyro with Julie Heckman ( American Pyrotechnics Association ), Brian Panther ( Pyrotek Special Effects ), and Jim Souza ( Pyro Spectac...

What do MacGyver, Buckminster Fuller, and Apollo 13 have in common? They all make an appearance in the latest episode of the Event Safety Podcast. In this episode, Danielle and Steve welcome back Certified Safety Professional Ken Keberle for a chat about learning, training, and resources for improving your safety knowledge. Notes: The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - And Why (Aman...