| News and Notes from · Sapsis Rigging Inc. · January 2013 |
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Goodman Theatre Calls Sapsis Rigging for Lifelines
Improving safety conditions for technical staff members has always been a primary goal at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. When timing and budgets came together after the annual production of A Christmas Carol opened in November 2012, it was time to call for lifelines-and they called Sapsis Rigging, Inc.
Sapsis installed fall arrest equipment in both performance spaces at the Goodman: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre's proscenium stage, and the flexible thrust-style stage in the (maximum) 450-seat Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre.
Daniel Porter, one of the ETCP-certified rigging professionals on the Sapsis staff, supervised the entire installation. He and his crew placed eight ProPlusŪ horizontal lifelines on the Albert's catwalk, balcony rail, and loading bridge, as well as 36 ProPlusŪ self-retracting lifelines (SRLs). These SRLs feature a dual inertia braking system, which stops a fall with minimal impact to the technician's body.
In the Owen Theatre, Porter and his crew installed eight horizontal lifelines and 20 self-retracting lifelines, to keep electricians and other technicians safe while working on ladders above the stage and house.
The Goodman installation took a total of ten days to complete.
"The Goodman leadership knew that fall arrest is a necessary part of keeping technicians safe," said Bill Sapsis, president of Sapsis Rigging. "Having this safety equipment in place gives production managers one less thing to worry about when the crew is working long hours during a fast turnaround."
"When we had the opportunity to take this step, the first call we made was to Sapsis Rigging," said Scott Conn, the Goodman Theatre's production manager. "Bill knew exactly what we needed, and the staff worked within our time frame to get the job done-right in the middle of our Christmas production season, when we had performances on both stages. The installation was fast, easy, and expertly done. The result gives us real peace of mind."
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Sapsis Rigging Welcomes Patrick Finn
 The newest member of the SRI team is Patrick Finn. Patrick is an ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre and (as soon as we finish painting his office), he'll be making himself right at home. Patrick hails from a small town south of Cleveland. He found himself thrust into summer stock theatre at a young age thanks to his desperate need for a summer job. After finishing his degree at Baldwin-Wallace College he worked for theatre and opera companies up and down the east coast. Having assisted in a renovation with the LORT company for which he was working he sought out and took a position as a Theatre Consultant in New York City. He then moved on to work for a rigging manufacturing company, first as a Project Manager and then as a Product Manager handling product development. Patrick is thrilled to be working with Sapsis Rigging to develop new ideas and products for the rigging industry and continue the tradition of innovation and excellence SRI has always achieved. Read more about the SRI staff and crew. ________________________________________________________________ |
 In Memorium - Frank WillardFrank Willard of Syracuse Scenery and stage Lighting, passed away on January 8, 2013. There was a memorial service held in Watertown, NY on Saturday, which I attended. It was good to see so many industry folks in attendance, although we all wished it were for a different reason. I also met Frank and Helen's family and friends. It was very clear that not only his colleagues but also the community held Frank in high regard. He was a gentleman, a colleague, and a good friend. The industry has lost one of its truly good guys and he will be greatly missed.
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 | | ProPlus: The Technician™ |
NEW! from Sapsis Rigging:
The Technician™
The Technician™ harness is designed for use by those whose work requires using multiple safety systems at one time. Climbing a wire rope ladder to reach a truss and then traversing along the truss is one example of a multiple safety system requirement.
Only one snap hook or other connector is allowed to be attached to a fall arrest ring at any time, per OSHA requirements. The Technician™ harness is equipped with two dorsal rings, one of which is attached to the end of a 9" extension. The extension allows the worker to meet the OSHA requirement and makes it easier to connect to a Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL).
Harness specifications:
- Cross over style
- Dorsal and sternum rings
- Additional extended dorsal ring
- Hip rings for work positioning
- Shoulder adjustment points
- Adjustable leg straps
- Sub-pelvic strap
 - Leg and shoulder pads for comfort
- 1.75" Polyester webbing
- Bayonet buckle connectors
Meets or exceeds ANSI Z359.1-2007
Item#: 502015 Price: $160.00__________________________________________________________________
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