Product Overview

Summary: This Lighting Rigging Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, step-by-step requirements for planning, installing, adjusting and dismantling lighting rigs in Australian workplaces. It helps production teams control high-risk activities at height, manage loads safely, and demonstrate compliance with WHS obligations across events, theatres, studios and venues.

Lighting rigs are often installed under tight timeframes, in crowded venues, and at significant heights, creating a combination of hazards that can quickly escalate into serious incidents if not tightly controlled. This Lighting Rigging Safety SOP provides a structured, repeatable process for managing every stage of the rigging lifecycle, from pre-production planning and load calculations through to final sign‑off, show operation and safe de‑rig. It translates Australian WHS requirements into practical on-the-ground instructions that technicians and supervisors can actually follow on a busy bump‑in.

The procedure addresses common risk areas such as working at height, suspended loads, electrical interfaces, confined overhead spaces and interaction with other contractors. It clarifies who is authorised to design and sign off rigging, what inspections must be completed and documented, and how to respond if equipment is damaged or conditions change. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce the likelihood of dropped objects, rigging failures and falls, while also improving consistency across crews, strengthening contractor management, and providing clear evidence of due diligence if an incident or regulator inquiry occurs.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of falls from height, dropped objects and rigging failures during bump‑in, operation and bump‑out.
• Ensure lighting rigging activities align with Australian WHS legislation, relevant Australian Standards and venue requirements.
• Standardise rigging practices across in‑house staff and contractors, improving consistency and communication on site.
• Streamline pre-start checks, inspections and sign‑offs so that unsafe equipment and setups are identified before use.
• Demonstrate a defensible, documented system of work to clients, insurers and regulators in the event of an audit or incident.

Who is this for?

• Production Managers
• Technical Directors
• Lighting Designers
• Lighting Technicians
• Riggers and Stagehands
• Venue and Theatre Managers
• Event Operations Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Film and TV Gaffers
• Touring Crew Chiefs

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height while accessing trusses, catwalks, grids and elevated work platforms
• Dropped objects, including fixtures, clamps, safety bonds and tools falling onto people below
• Structural overloading of trusses, bars, grids or building attachment points due to incorrect load calculations
• Rigging component failure (slings, shackles, clamps, chain motors, spansets) from misuse or inadequate inspection
• Crush and pinch injuries when moving, flying or de‑rigging trusses and lighting bars
• Electrocution or electric shock from damaged cabling, poor earthing or incorrect connection of powered fixtures
• Slips, trips and falls caused by poorly managed cable runs, cases, and equipment on walkways and evacuation routes
• Collision between moving rigging (e.g. chain motors, fly systems) and people, set, or other technical infrastructure
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of heavy fixtures, truss sections and road cases
• Exposure to high-intensity light and heat from fixtures during focus and testing in confined spaces

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Rigging, Loads, Components)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning, Design and Engineering of Lighting Rigs
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Safe Work Methodology
• 6.0 Pre‑Start Checks and Site-Specific Inductions
• 7.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 8.0 Working at Height and Access Equipment Controls
• 9.0 Rigging Installation Procedure (Bump‑In)
• 10.0 Load Calculations, Structural Checks and Sign‑Off
• 11.0 Electrical Safety for Lighting Rigs
• 12.0 Operational Controls During Rehearsals and Performances
• 13.0 Adjustment, Maintenance and Modification of Rigs In‑Use
• 14.0 De‑Rigging and Bump‑Out Procedure
• 15.0 Housekeeping, Cable Management and Public Interface Controls
• 16.0 Inspection, Testing, Tagging and Maintenance of Rigging Gear
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures (Falls, Equipment Failure, Electrical Incident)
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 19.0 Training, Competency and Licence Requirements
• 20.0 Document Control, Records and Review Schedule

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 1170.0: Structural design actions – General principles
• AS/NZS 1170.1: Structural design actions – Permanent, imposed and other actions
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding (for temporary work platforms used in rigging)
• AS 2550.1: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – General requirements
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines