A leading seller in ETP’s near 60-strong list of titles, Chris Higgs’ An Introduction to Rigging in the Entertainment Industry (first published in 2002) has been revised and was issued in its second edition in August 2008. A major part of the revision in this new edition covers Working at Height and the associated regulations.
The book is a practical guide to rigging techniques and practice and also covers thoroughly all safety issues and discusses the implications of working within recommended guidelines and regulations. It sets out to act as an introduction to, in the main, indoor entertainment rigging. It is not intended to be a definitive work and can only serve as a guide to basic rigging. And it does not attempt to explore every technique in detail or to explain the ‘right way’ of doing anything. It does not cover large outdoor stages or tensile structures.
It is, however, a highly informative source of reference and will provide a starting point for further study.
| Author: | Chris Higgs |
| Publication Date: | 12th June 2002 |
| Book Format: | Paperback |
| Kindle Version: | Click here to buy from Amazon |
| Price: | £24.95 |
ET Press publishes a rapidly expanding range of books covering the technical aspects of entertainment technology.
Books currently available include titles on lighting, audio, rigging, production, stage engineering, TV, safety, standards, biography and history.
Reviews
Chris Higgs has been instrumental in setting standards and training those wishing to safely practice the art of rigging since the late nineties. This book is a collection of the training notes and safety information compiled over many years.
Higgs devotes the first substantial chapters of the book to the current legislation and standards that riggers will encounter on a daily basis. Topics such as European law, the machinery directive, CE Marking, PUWER and LOLER are all covered in sufficient detail to allow the reader to understand the reasons why they exist and what they cover. Health and Safety issues are also covered, including the Health and Safety Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Regulations, insurance, method statements and risk assessments, together with the hierarchy of responsibility for such issues.
The first practical chapter also follows the safety theme and concentrates on safe systems. A large part is devoted to dispelling the myths that surround secondary safety bonds such as those found on lights and speakers, as well as giving clear guidance on how to do it correctly. Higgs goes on to cover the basic concepts of rigging, explaining the dynamics of loads and load sharing and methods of attachment, along with the related calculations. There is an extensive chapter covering all the components used in the rigging trade from slings to shackles and how to use them safely whilst also relating the inspection and use of such equipment to the appropriate legislation.
Self-supporting structures are covered in detail, with superlifts, self-climbing trusses and the like all considered. The final chapter is safety related too and gives in-depth instruction on working at height. Not only are the legislative requirements covered, but also the types of safety equipment and their implementation.
In all, Higgs’ book is well written and laid out, and an excellent primer for those wishing to move into professional rigging, as well as a good reference tool for the more seasoned practitioner.
Lighting + Sound International