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Basic training principles for new and long-time installers
August 1st, 2018
Training new installers—and long-time crew members—comes down to a focus on safety, product-specific knowledge and product care. Labor is a problem everywhere, with tent rental companies experiencing constant turnover and the need to train new installers. Desperate to fill out their crews, tent renters will often send new employees on the road for installations right […]
PPE and bad excuses
August 1st, 2017
There are a lot of reasons why workers fail to wear PPE—but none of them are good. Why do tent installers fail to use personal protective equipment (PPE) on job sites? That’s a great question—one without good answers. We frequently see workers on tent sites that are near to and working with loud equipment; moving […]
Gear is good, skill is better
August 1st, 2017
Innovative equipment and creative problem solvers get the job done. I began my journalism career in photography, and then moved away from it. “You can learn photography on the side!” people said. “Major in print journalism instead!” (Life advice right up there with the realtor who told me in 2004 that housing values almost never […]
OSHA: Circus tent in fatal New Hampshire collapse not erected correctly
April 1st, 2016
A Sarasota, Fla.-based circus operator is contesting more than $33,000 in fines proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following the collapse of a circus tent in August 2015. OSHA cited Walker International Events with 14 serious violations. The collapse killed a father and daughter in the audience and injured dozens of others, […]
Evacuation planning
April 1st, 2016
It’s human nature to seek cover in an emergency. A solid evacuation plan helps to ensure attendees of tented events find shelter in a safe location. (Hint: Not the tent!) The collapse of the roof structure of a stage at the Indiana State Fair nearly five years ago served as a catalyst for discussions about […]
Expert Q&A: Installing and removing tent stakes
December 1st, 2015
Q: How can I use tools to install and remove tent stakes more easily and safely? A: Tent stakes are an important part of most tent rental businesses, regardless of the type of tent used, from pole tents to engineered structures. Installing and removing tent stakes can be the toughest aspect of the job unless […]
Safe worksite advice
October 1st, 2015
Free OSHA consultations for small- and medium-sized businesses. The On-site Consultation Program offered by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides free and confidential advice to small- and medium-sized businesses, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. This service is separate from enforcement and does not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies […]
Expert Q&A: Safety First!
October 1st, 2015
Q: What mistakes lead to fatalities and injuries on the job? A: Safety starts before you show up on the job site. Safety begins before the job is even sold. There are steps along the way that can make the difference between having a long and satisfying career and being injured, permanently disabled or killed. […]