Safety Archives

Power line safety

June 1, 2009 | Safety & Codes

Overhead and buried power lines at construction jobsites are especially hazardous because they carry extremely high voltage. Fatal electrocution is the main risk, but burns and falls from elevation are also hazards. Using tools and equipment that can come in contact with power lines increases the ri…

The holding power of stakes

April 1, 2009 | On the Job

By Michael Tharpe Q: What is the holding power of stakes? A: More than a decade ago, industry leaders met to discuss staking, anchoring and the issues in setting industry standards—standards to address questions like: How much staking is adequate for my tent? How do loose soil and high winds a…

Keeping an eye on the weather

April 1, 2009 | Safety & Codes

Of course you keep an eye on the weather. But what exactly should you be looking for? Across the United States, there are differences in weather but—severe weather is severe weather,” says Nate Larscheid, chief meteorologist of WEAU-TV of Eau Claire, Wis. There are certain things to look…

Top to turf: Lighting and flooring options

December 1, 2008 | Event Production, Features, On the Job, Tent Décor

Today’s lighting and flooring options have a universal appeal for tent customers. By Maura Keller It’s not surprising that lighting and flooring have become key tools in tent design. For decades, interior lighting and flooring in tents were simply considered utilitarian amenities, as wer…

Why staking is critical

December 1, 2008 | On the Job

By Michael Tharpe Q: Why must tents be anchored? A: Proper anchoring is the most important part of ensuring your tent installation is safe. Frame tents must be anchored to hold them down. Pole tents must be anchored to shape them and hold them up. A tent (whether frame, pole or otherwise) will not r…

Get smart about risk management

December 1, 2008 | Features, Safety & Codes

Reduce your chance of an accident claim by properly managing the factors you can control. By Holly O’Dell Tented event professionals often deal with uncontrollable factors — chairs breaking, vandalism, customers abusing products and, of course, weather. However, tent professionals can be…

Train smart

December 1, 2008 | Management, Safety & Codes

A good training program is a requirement for long-term success. By Julie Young In the tent industry, good training is often synonymous with safety consciousness. Employers must emphasize the need for OSHA guidelines while also fostering a respect for the job site and a sense of how to avoid injury. …

Fleet safety

December 1, 2008 | Safety & Codes

Motor vehicle crashes cost employers $60 billion a year in medical care, legal expenses, property damage and lost productivity, OSHA reports. Crashes increase benefits costs, including workers’ comp, Social Security and health and disability insurance. Employers can expect to pay $16,500 for a…

Conducting a site survey

October 1, 2008 | Safety & Codes

By Michael Tharpe Q: How do I conduct a site survey? A: A site survey gathers all the pertinent information regarding the proposed function or event, including event time, number of guests, traffic flow, location, prevailing weather conditions and so on. Site surveys allow you to organize the inform…

Safe lifting