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<blockquote data-quote="Tim McCulloch" data-source="post: 34345" data-attributes="member: 67">Re: So, what are some warning signs that a stage may be unsafe?Missing fasteners, fasteners or holding devices that aren&#039;t rated for the work being done (grade 3 or grade 5 hardware used for truss; c-clamps holding the roof to scaffolding), formed (not forged) eye bolts, eye bolts without shoulders.&nbsp; Shims that are too small to spread a load or aren&#039;t fully centered under a load.It helps to have an eye for basic mechanical physics.&nbsp; The goal of any suspension system is to transfer the load safely to the ground.&nbsp; In Milt&#039;s pictures you will see chain hoists attached to the tower headblock, rather than like this [ATTACH]149902[/ATTACH] where the chain goes over the headblock and attaches to the truss, as does the hoist.&nbsp; This loads the tower evenly.&nbsp; The other way? Eh, no.Unequal guying is another.&nbsp; If guy lines on opposite sides of a structure are at noticeably different angles, the tension that keeps the towers in place is not equal on both sides.&nbsp; One will fail before the other.Anything overhead that relies exclusively on gravity to keep it in place.&nbsp; Clamping or fastening systems that are inadequate, no safety cables on lights.Orange extension cords on anything but the lighting guy&#039;s fan.I&#039;ll probably think of more tomorrow.Have fun, stay safe.Tim Mc</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Tim McCulloch, post: 34345, member: 67"] Re: So, what are some warning signs that a stage may be unsafe? Missing fasteners, fasteners or holding devices that aren't rated for the work being done (grade 3 or grade 5 hardware used for truss; c-clamps holding the roof to scaffolding), formed (not forged) eye bolts, eye bolts without shoulders. Shims that are too small to spread a load or aren't fully centered under a load. It helps to have an eye for basic mechanical physics. The goal of any suspension system is to transfer the load safely to the ground. In Milt's pictures you will see chain hoists attached to the tower headblock, rather than like this [ATTACH=CONFIG]149902.vB5-legacyid=1965[/ATTACH] where the chain goes over the headblock and attaches to the truss, as does the hoist. This loads the tower evenly. The other way? Eh, no. Unequal guying is another. If guy lines on opposite sides of a structure are at noticeably different angles, the tension that keeps the towers in place is not equal on both sides. One will fail before the other. Anything overhead that relies exclusively on gravity to keep it in place. Clamping or fastening systems that are inadequate, no safety cables on lights. Orange extension cords on anything but the lighting guy's fan. I'll probably think of more tomorrow. Have fun, stay safe. Tim Mc [/QUOTE]

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