INTERVIEW: Eric Porter
Is there a single tool you’ve used on almost every job – a piece of trusty equipment that you couldn’t work without? There is no single piece I could name. Every time you get a decent new gadget, you wonder how you managed without it previously. Over the years this could be a Klein-tool (Haven or Chicago grip), a chain grab-hook, a Bee Bee (chain-pull / lift), a laser positioner, a disto-laser, a ratchet-pulley – nevertheless, it’s surprising what you can do with just a length of rope and the right knot.
viewed by legislators, insurers and the judiciary. It has been developed by the rigging industry, not by outsiders, in conjunction with PLASA who have subsidised the set-up process generously. It continues to run via three assessment
centres that have all needed investment from companies who have not seen a return on that investment for the four years that the scheme has been running. The cost for a rigger to go through the process of demonstrating competence is a fraction of that for CORGI registration, HGV & PSV licenses or any similar professional ticket. For four years the scheme has run with the generous support of the involved parties, and the prices will have to rise next year.
In setting up the scheme, everyone involved in it learned a lot. People should not be scared to admit they need to learn some things. The NRC is not perfect. The alternatives are ghastly.
You used AC, Prolyte and the Back Stage / LS live facilities for your recent training course, what makes these ingredients the best combination to teach with? The combination of resources offered by this team does make my job very much easier, and makes the trainee’s experience that much better. The classroom space and resources are second to none, future printing and collation of course notes is of a very high standard and BSA has Petzl and Yale PFPS for trainees. To be able to use the
For any younger readers looking at this issue of TPi, what advice would you take the opportunity to instill in them if they want to become a rigger for the production of live events? Pay attention to how things are done and be keen to learn – always ask if unsure – but don’t believe everything you are told. Know your limits (physically and intellectually) – turn up and be ready at least 15 minutes before the call-time – as you do progress, and start to shoulder some responsibility, be ready to say no to powerful people; they’ll respect you for it in the long term even if you’re in an awkward position at the time. You are always in the front line when something goes wrong, even if you’ve done all your tasks properly; so you do have a responsibility if you see other departments doing questionable work below your own installation. Tact and diplomacy are valuable tools here, but sometimes you must be firm too.
“The modern environment of blame and responsibility-avoidence demands that we respond with a scheme that proves competence.”
The NRC Card is now a recognised skills
certificate in the eyes of Olympic Delivery Authority, National Arenas Association etc etc. Why do people have a problem with the industry setting up a Scheme of Competence for workers in Life-Critical operations? Why are so many people reluctant to be involved? In my opinion, the ‘old-school’ riggers who
hesitate to sign up are actually fearful of revealing just how much they don’t know. Let me say that I am very happy to work underneath these guys, because I know and trust their capabilities - but times have moved on. The industry has grown enormously since
the 1970’s. The modern environment of blame and responsibility-avoidance demands that we respond with a scheme that proves competence.
50 • TPi OCTOBER 2011
enormous LS-Live rehearsal studio for practical tuition is a huge benefit (although I do not have inexperienced people working at great heights). AC’s rigging division provides brand new rigging equipment and a range of safety/rescue equipment to supplement my own resources. Backstage Academy provide a brand new Prolyte truss structure, and importantly Marc Hendricks of Prolyte is frequently on hand to deliver an entire day on truss theory and use. This of course allows me to spend less time on trussing in my course, freeing up extra time for interactive debate and questions from students specific to their own experiences. This is a very good recipe that we will repeat in future. Backstage Academy is developing Foundation Degree Modules in Rigging with input from myself and others.
Following various recent stage collapses, what do you personally believe is lacking from the formula to ensure structures are as safe as possible? Almost invariably, disasters are a product of negligence or poor management. They seldom come from ignorance alone. If you build an outdoor structure the weather is your main challenge, but there will have been guidance prepared for how to cope with incoming storms – it should be followed. There will have been guidance on ballast and bracing. Weather may delay the actual build but was there enough allowance in the schedule to anticipate problems, or were you given only the amount of time needed to do the job in ideal conditions? If not, why not?
Would you like to see any new H&S regulations brought in? Absolutely not; we struggle under a mountain of Regulations, Standards etc, which differ in each EU member, state, despite them all coming from the same EU directives. What is missing from higher authorities is intelligent enforcement of the existing controls, and what is missing within the industry is enough planning time to carry out complex builds safely. It’s no use just trotting out the same line that we are really good at quick response times. From top to bottom, there is never enough notice given. TPi
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96