Backstage Academy Launches Rigging Courses

Eric Porter, experienced independent rigger, trainer, assessor and committee member for the PLASA National Rigging Certificate will be delivering these courses which will include truss types and uses, hanging from chain hoists and bars, and slinging trusses and flying frames.

The Equipment Suspension Course is a one-day course tailored for people wishing to get a flavour for rigging who, for example, might be involved in hanging lighting, audio, video or scenic equipment from rigging which has been provided by others (including Theatre Flying Systems).

Topics covered include:-
• Hanging from chain hosts and bars (powered and counterweight)
• Slinging trusses and flying frames
• Slinging scenic pieces
• Rigging hardware (including wire, slings, chains, shackles)
• Truss types and uses
• Good and bad practice

Entry onto the course is £150.00 (plus VAT) per person, and includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day, course materials and a certificate of attendance.

The more comprehensive Rigging Course is an already established training programme that has been attended by industry people from all over Europe. It is suitable for industry professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and expertise in rigging to assist in their everyday roles, newcomers to rigging looking to break into the industry, and people already working in related professions who wish to gain a more thorough understanding of the sector.

Topics covered include:-
• Regulations, guidance, standards and working at height
• PPE inspection and inspection records
• Basic lifting principles
• Rigging hardware — factors of safety, mode of use factors
• Truss theory, beams, load distributions, bridles, and angled loads
• Practical: rigging hoists from bridles, floating the hoists, slinging and flying a truss-box
• Ropework from the flown box
• De-rigging and packing away safely
• Bridle choice from estimation, measurement and calculation
• Calculation of loads from vector analysis (parallelogram of forces)
• Knots — bowline and clove-hitch, and rope finishing
• Basket and choke techniques, shackle types
• Truss slinging
• Hoist operation and electrical safety
• Rescue planning

The Rigging Course runs over a three-day period (one full day, with two half days either side) and will deliver skills, knowledge, understanding and techniques which will contribute towards the PLASA National Rigging Certificate (NRC) Level 2, and towards Level 3.

Entry onto the course is £375.00 (plus VAT) per person, which includes three lunches and refreshments throughout the day, course materials and a certificate of attendance.

For more information or to register for either course, please contact:
Kelly Aitken
Backstage Academy
Tel: 07891 890049
Email: kelly.aitken@backstage-academy.co.uk

www.backstage-academy.co.uk