Stay Safe on Tour: Must-Know Safety Gear for Every Set Carpenter
When you're a set carpenter, your work environment can be unpredictable and demanding. Whether you're constructing stages, handling heavy equipment, or working under tight deadlines, safety should always be your top priority.
Trust me, from one set carpenter to another, investing in the right gear can make all the difference between a smooth day on the job and a potential injury.
In this blog, we'll cover some crucial pieces of safety equipment that every set carpenter should have in their toolkit. From protecting your head with a hard hat to ensuring you have a firm grip with the right gloves.
Let's dive in and explore the must-have safety gear that will keep you protected.
1. Hard Hats: Protecting Your Head on the Job
Always prioritize your safety, and that starts with wearing a hard hat. I know the rules about mandatory use can vary depending on the situation and the venue, but trust me, a hard hat is a must-have for your toolbox.
When the riggers start their work and the truss is about to be hung, make sure you have your hard hat on. It’s not fun to wear one, and getting hit in the head with a stray bolt can be a real pain, but it’s much worse if you’re not wearing a hard hat at all.
Given how quickly we often have to build and dismantle stages, accidents are bound to happen. While a hard hat won’t make you invincible, it can significantly reduce the severity of injuries if something falls on your head.
Although enforcement of hard hat use can vary by venue and country, I always recommend wearing one from the very beginning, especially when you’re working under the riggers. Don’t wait for someone to hand you a cheap, uncomfortable helmet. Invest in a professional climbing helmet online and carry it with you to every venue. You can’t always count on being able to grab your helmet from your case when you need it, so it’s better to be prepared. Safety first, always.
Pro tip #1: Apparently, the placement of even the smallest sticker on your helmet can make the whole thing utterly pointless. Read into that what you will. But don't worry, there's always someone on tour who feels the need to tell you this time and time again.
2. Steel-Toe Cap Boots: Footwear for Heavy-Duty Protection
The rules around these boots can vary, and they aren't always mandatory, but they're incredibly useful for extra protection.
There’s a myth that steel toe caps can cut your toes off if hit with enough force, but an episode of MythBusters debunked that. While they might not make you invincible, they do offer a good amount of protection. They’re especially useful when you need to put weight on your toes while holding something heavy.
Nothing hurts more than having a deck or a flight case wheel smash into your feet—except maybe a very heavy deck cart rolling over them. While steel toe caps might not completely protect you from such extreme cases, they certainly reduce the risk of injury in many situations.
Ultimately, it's up to you if you want to wear them, but I personally always take a pair on tour. Safety and comfort go hand in hand, and having that extra layer of protection can make a big difference.
3. Ear Protection: Guarding Against Loud Noises
Here's a piece of advice I wish I'd taken seriously sooner: always have a pair of ear defenders. At first, I didn't think they were necessary, but now I make sure to have a pair before every show.
When you're doing three shows in a row before getting a day off, even a cheap pair of ear defenders can make a world of difference. The disposable ones often handed out at shows or big venues work wonders when you're backstage. The great thing is you can still hear your radio with them in.
Make sure to grab yourself a pair or keep a few in your toolbox. Trust me, your future self will thank you for taking care of your hearing now.
4. High-Visibility Vests: Staying Visible in Low-Light Conditions
I’m not going to overstate this, but you need to have a high-visibility vest, especially for large arena shows. They're incredibly handy and should always be part of your gear. They don't need to be anything fancy; even a cheap one will do as long as it's reflective.
When you're working an arena show, you should wear your high-visibility vest at all times until you leave, especially during load-ins and load-outs. It's essential for your safety in busy, chaotic environments. Those forklifts can move quickly, and you don’t want them to not notice you.
5: Gloves: Ensuring a Firm Grip and Hand Safety
Lastly, while not vital and not enforced, grip gloves are a good thing to have. The best ones are the inexpensive pairs dipped in a grip solution. It's the grip you're looking for, not necessarily the strength to protect your hands from major injuries.
If you catch your hand in something, gloves won't help much, but the grip can be a real asset. However, if you're dealing with a stage setup involving lots of nuts and bolts, you'll likely handle that barehanded.
Still, it's worth having a pair of grip gloves in your toolkit. You'll be glad to have them when you need that extra bit of hold.
Thanks for reading everyone and stay safe.
