PA Safety

[jondog]

My wife is awesome. She helps w/ the PA at every gig and knows more about wiring etc. than some of the guys in the band. She doesn't do the heavy stuff, just cables etc. Just over a month ago she wasn't looking when the singer thought she was and he dropped a speaker on her head -- major concussion and over a month of painful recovery, expensive cat scans, etc. We're actually really lucky she's alive.

So, this thread is just about being careful w/ PA gear. It's heavy and potentially dangerous. My drummer said he saw a buddy's foot get crushed the exact same way years ago. And always lift w/ your legs not your back. Make sure speaker stands are stable and cables are taped down. And get help moving heavy stuff. And don't remove the ground pin or mess with electricity you don't understand. And remember lights can get really really hot. And . . .

 

[Jimbob Jones]

I'm sorry to hear about the accident, I'm really glad your wife is ok!

You've covered pretty much everything in your OP! Here are a couple of others:

Getting any speaker over 20kg (15?) on or off of a stand is a two man job.

Bags/cases of cables are the heaviest for their size (except maybe the drum hardware/mic stand coffin)

Cables that are neatly run tend to last longer, stay cleaner and are much safer.

Never use a cable that's too short.

Rigging in/out is not the time for heroics. If it's too heavy then get someone to help you.

High SPLs = ear damage, simple as. Wear earplugs if possible, and turn those IEMS down!

Speaker stands are very top heavy. Take an extra second to ensure all 3 legs are on steady ground.

Lights get HOT. (Just thougt that one needed reitterating)

If you're repairing something at a gig, (piece of outbard, desk, amp etc.) unplug, THEN take the cover off.

lives/livelyhoods are worth more than any PA system. Don't skimp on safety.

 

[Electricblue]

I'm sorry to hear about the accident, I'm really glad your wife is ok!

You've covered pretty much everything in your OP! Here are a couple of others:

Getting any speaker over 20kg (15?) on or off of a stand is a two man job.

Bags/cases of cables are the heaviest for their size (except maybe the drum hardware/mic stand coffin)

Cables that are neatly run tend to last longer, stay cleaner and are much safer.

Never use a cable that's too short.

Rigging in/out is not the time for heroics. If it's too heavy then get someone to help you.

High SPLs = ear damage, simple as. Wear earplugs if possible, and turn those IEMS down!

Speaker stands are very top heavy. Take an extra second to ensure all 3 legs are on steady ground.

Lights get HOT. (Just thougt that one needed reitterating)

If you're repairing something at a gig, (piece of outbard, desk, amp etc.) unplug, THEN take the cover off.

lives/livelyhoods are worth more than any PA system. Don't skimp on safety.

You could do what I did with my camera tripod on windy days, hang a bag of sand or something under/between the three legs of the stand. This should make it a little more stable.

 

[Ewo]

Yeow! Best wishes for her speedy recovery, good buddy.

 

[jaywa]

Lot of good arguments here for hiring production out whenever possible. I have spent the majority of my musical careers in bands that "did it themselves" and I count it a major blessing to never have lost a gig due to a smashed finger, broken hand, laceration, wrecked back or worse from doing all that sh*t work.

Seriously... each band member give up 15-20% of your cut in exchange for all that heavy stuff being transported, set-up, correctly connected and operated... it is so worth it.

That being said... two things to add if you do it yourself.

1) Wheels are your friends. The more heavy stuff you can put on wheels in one way shape or form, the better -- without compromising stability of course. Just really watch it on the inclines.

2) (With credit to a career roadie I met 25 years ago and long ago forgot his name) - Balance, leverage, and momentum. Get these three things working for you and things will be easier and safer.

 

[MNAirHead]

Sorry about your wife....

Sounds like your tear down was a dangerous circus.

 

[Versatek6]

jondog,

Prayers for a good recovery for your wife. Thanks for the reminder, too.

About two years ago, one of our guitar players was going to move a small (20#) monitor. He has to twist and reach over something to grab the handle.

He said that as soon as he lifted it, he felt something tearing in his back. He gets cortisone injections every few months and can neither sit nor stand for long periods. Surgery may be in his future.

"Balance, leverage, and momentum," indeed.

 

[jondog]

Thanks guys, it's been around 3 months now. She still gets dizzy sometimes and can't lift things but otherwise is doing much better. It sucks but could've been a lot worse. The doctor said "post-concussion syndrome" can take up to a year to fully heal.

I agree w/ hiring out PA duties, but at most of my gigs 15-20% = $100 which will not hire anybody w/ decent gear around here. The load-out wasn't a circus, just an unfortunate accident. I was in the bathroom when it happened, I feel like if I had just held it for 5 more minutes none of this mess would've gone down.

 

[jaywa]

Another thing I didn't realize until I recently switched bands (both of which are DIY for production), is that there have been some dramatic reductions in the bulk and weight of a lot of sound and light gear over the years.

Former band, used home-built subs, 1x18 per cabinet, no wheels, had to weigh at least 150 lbs per (a two-man carry) and we ran two of them per side every show. Brutal. Current band, subs are Yorkville 2x18s with pull-bars and built in-rollers (just like an 8x10 bass cab), one guy can easily roll it off the trailer and into the venue and we have yet to play a room requiring more than 1 of them per side (though we have 6 total). Oh yeah they sound just as good as the old heavy beasts if not better, and require less power (another weight reduction). The new band also rolls with LED lighting (vs. old style "cans" in the former band)... also a much easier carry.

I realize very few bands want to dump a bunch of money into all-new P.A. and lights, but any band whose gear is really getting old and is playing a lot of gigs should seriously look into it. The stress and strain of load-in and load-out between my former and current bands is like night and day and the difference in their gear has a lot to do with it.