Overview of the role
The stagehand labourer is an entry-level role within the stagehands team. This role requires physical strength, good timekeeping, and an eagerness to work as part of a highly collaborative team in often challenging conditions. The health and safety implications and dangers associated with construction equipment, mean that stagehand labourers should never work without supervision. The role is an introduction to the department which should expose the stagehand labourer to as many work areas within the department as possible. As it is a training role, a stagehand labourer should always work under supervision.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Assist with opening of stage or workshop procedures at the start of the day.
- Assist with security checks to ensure all equipment is in place, and the set has not been tampered with, reporting as required.
- Assist with keeping the set / workshop free from debris at all times, and dispose of waste in line with regulations and production sustainability policies and procedures.
- Interpret the work requirements and layout of the operational area from the technical drawings and stage plans provided.
- Identify any hazards which may affect the work activity and report to a chargehand stagehand or stagehand.
- Check fire lanes have been provided for, including access and exit doorways, and these are kept clear of materials and debris.
- Check there are appropriate fire extinguishers for dealing with the different fire classifications.
- Follow procedures – tools are locked securely away at the end of the workday, and all lights and sockets are isolated as per studio regulations.
- Put onto charge plant and equipment which require recharging for use the following day, charge in a designated area agreed with a chargehand stagehand or supervisor.
- Work in line with the security requirements of the work area, recognising potential risks and unauthorised persons.
- Identify specialist tools and powered equipment for the work activity.
- Carry out pre-start inspections and performance checks, operating tools per manufacturers’ instructions and safety regulations.
- Report any defects to a chargehand stagehand or stagehand.
- While using tools and equipment, take action to avoid accidents and damage to property and personnel.
- Check that the power tools and battery chargeable tools have been PAT tested.
- Ensure all tools and powered equipment are stored safely and that no charging of lithium or harmful batteries in stages or workshops takes place outside of working hours.
- Use safe handling techniques for tools and powered equipment.
- Check ventilation requirements and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Follow instructions for the correct sequence of events to install the set pieces.
- Identify risks and hazards, and procedures for dealing with these, within a given timescale and deadline.
- Assist with checking the size and function of the items to be moved and identifying the correct form of transport and its availability.
- Assist with manoeuvring set piece items on trailers, avoiding hazards such as cables, workstations, other set pieces, crew or pedestrians.
- Ensure trailers are attached securely to towing plant or vehicles.
- Position workstations and powered equipment according to access, power and ventilation needs and be aware of emergency exits.
- Unload deliveries using appropriate handling techniques and machinery in accordance with health and safety regulations.
- Follow special instructions on set pieces to be retained as per set strike notice.
- Use appropriate tools and equipment to aid removal of set pieces.
- Dispose of waste during set strike in accordance with regulations and the production sustainability policies and processes.
- With higher grade stagehand, identify and plan work to assist with operating plant and machinery, checking and agreeing the sequence of work activity with other departments.
- Check ground conditions are suitable for the safe operation of plant or equipment.
- Assist with preparation, positioning and securing of equipment for the work according to manufacturers’ instructions and health and safety procedures including provision and use of work equipment regulations (PUWER) and lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER).
- Comply with organisational procedures to minimise damage to the work and surrounding area.
- Shut down plant and machinery safely and leave in a secure position for the next operator.
- Obtain procedures for checking and communicating information with colleagues, including accidents or emergencies, identifying obstructions and environmental considerations.
- Check the planned schedule for the sequence of work to be undertaken.
- Check and confirm the health and safety requirements for working at heights, for operating powered MEWP equipment, and for lifting and accessing operations.
- Confirm and agree that the rigging has been erected to the required standard and weight limit to hold the set backing.
- Keep the work areas free from dirt and dust, and the backings covered with craft paper or polythene sheeting.
- Ensure the backing is handled dirt- and dust free, and hung in line with drawing layouts from the art department.
- Operate and place machinery to access rigging.
- Assist with the positioning and use of blue or green screens.
- Identify tools and equipment required to produce the specialised finish.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment as required, and understand the health and safety requirements and risks associated with the use of specialist equipment and tools, using flame torch guns and obtaining a hot works permit.
- Select materials and lay these to create the desired coverings as instructed by plans and specifications.
- Create wood effects and finishes as directed, using brushing and burning to the required depth and patina.
- Use specialist techniques to create the required finishes.
- Select the appropriate covering for windbags, such as cotton duck or hessian.
- Cover windbag frames to specifications using correct fixing methods to complete the overall effect.
- Confirm with the wood machinist how much material is required for each cutting list and its availability.
- Collect the materials from the onsite wood store.
- Check that the quality of the timber or plywood selected meets the requirements of the planned activity.
- Select the best available timber when joinery type timber is required for the work.
- Assist the machinist with lifting and cutting the wood.
- Arrange for the finished items to be moved to the required location.
- Ensure all activities involving machinery and movement of timber are in compliance with health and safety legislation and protocols, using correct PPE and safety guards when required.
- Check that the dust extraction system is functioning correctly, and whether the bags require emptying.
- Maintain a clean and tidy mill free from debris, controlling waste and recycling timber offcuts.
- Keep up to date with health and safety policies and procedures for the production.
- Work in compliance with health and safety legislation, regulations, and protocols at all times.
- Identify and report any hazards to the working environment that they are unable to deal with, and confirm the appropriate persons to report to.
- Use the appropriate PPE for the task, working safely with awareness for others.
- Organise work and prevent accumulation of waste and debris.
- Identify production working practices and aspects which may harm them or others.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of stagehand labourer.
- Interpret and understand stage and workshop requirements.
- Use specialist tools, equipment, and machinery
- Communication: being polite, clear, open to communication, and always asking questions. Listening and taking notes.
- Team-working: collaboration within own and with other departments, liaising with stagehands, wood mill and carpentry teams.
- Resilience and enthusiasm: adapt positively and quickly to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for
the production. - Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others, and meets the ethical requirements of their profession.
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing production environment.
- Professional development: develop and maintain an attitude to learning on every job and seek out networking opportunities.