ABOUT SAFETY PASSPORT
The learning platform on working safely in the performing arts and event industry
This learning platform is freely available to anyone who prioritizes working safely in the performing arts and events industry. We gladly inform you about our partners and instructors.
THE ETTE PROJECT
A European course at the origins of the safety passport
The ETTE project developed a European safety training program for technicians in the performing arts industry, along with a corresponding safety passport. This training program is based on 10 ESCO competencies that every employee working in the performing arts industry should master.
- 1. Working with respect for one’s own safety
- 2. Contributing to a safe and sustainable working environment
- 3. Working ergonomically
- 4. 4. Using personal protection equipment
- 5. Fire prevention in a stage environment
- 6. Working safely at height
- 7. Working safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
- 8. Working safely with tools
- 9. Working safely with chemicals
- 10. Setting up and rigging stage equipment
The course contents reflect the vision that safety is a way of life. Everyone on stage, from stagehand to stage manager, must be able to behave in a safe manner, understand the mechanisms behind working safely and develop a critical safety attitude. Unlike other safety training courses, this course does not focus on legislation but on competence, on mastering a safe working practice. It focuses on “being able to” rather than “knowing”, ability rather than knowledge.
partners
The safety passport grows thanks to these partners
- DTHG (DE), Die Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft
- VPT (NL), Vereniging voor Podiumtechnologie
- OSAT (NL), Overleg Scholing Arbeidsmarkt Theatertechniek
- STTF (SE), Svensk Teaterteknisk Förening
- RITCS (BE), Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema and Sound
- STEPP (BE), het steunpunt voor de productionele, ontwerpende, en technische krachten van de brede culturele sector
ETTEC
European Council for Qualification and Certification of Stage Technicians
ETTEC is an international non-profit organization that supports the international mutual recognition of certificates in the performing arts and event industry.
ETTEC unites national assessment centers and certification bodies with the aim of ensuring a mutual quality assurance, developing common professional profiles, and training assessors, mentors, and trainers.
The members of ETTEC recognize each other’s certificates to ensure that they are valid in all participating countries.
- STTF (SE), Sveriges Teckenspråkstolkars Förening
- OSAT (NL), Overleg Scholing Arbeidsmarkt Theatertechniek
- RITCS (BE), Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema and Sound
- IGVW (DE, Founding member), Die Interessengemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft
- STEPP (BE), het steunpunt voor de productionele, ontwerpende, en technische krachten van de brede culturele sector
Partners
Instructors in the online course
We are happy to introduce them to you
The instructors in the e-learning modules all have years of expertise in the field that they are discussing.
CHRIS VAN GOETHEM
Module 1 & 2
Module 1: Working with respect for one’s own safety Module 2: Contributing to a safe and sustainable working environment
Chris Van Goethem is a stage manager, teacher and researcher at the RITCS Expertise Centre for Technical Theatre (EhB). As a key contributor to the European ETTE project, he co-wrote the training modules and evaluation procedure. He firmly believes that safety starts with a safe workplace and that everyone should take their (moral) responsibility for it.
ERIC DECABOOTER
Module 3
Module 3: Ergonomic Working Practices
Eric Decabooter, owner of Ergoconsultants, is a seasoned corporate ergonomist and movement consultant. Aside from teaching you how to use ergonomic tools properly in his videos, he puts great emphasis on developing postural awareness to reduce the risk of physical discomfort.
PETER MOUS
Module 4
Module 4: Using Personal Protective Equipment
Peter Mous is a theater technician at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. He provides guidance on the smart use of personal protective equipment. Opera Ballet Vlaanderen invests in safety coaches who perform a complete safety check of the stage at essential moments in the design, set construction, and before the start of performances.
WINAND VAN LIL
Module 5
Module 5: Fire prevention in a stage environment
Winand Van Lil, CEO of Seekurico, and his team of consultants help organisations to achieve optimal levels of Workplace Safety and Prevention. Being a theatre technician, stage manager and technical director for over 25 years, Winand’s happy place remains in the cultural sector. “To me, this course has the best of both worlds: as a prevention advisor, I highlight the topic of fire prevention”.
ROEL REYNDERS
Module 6
Module 6: Working safely at height
Roel Reynders is a skilled teacher in sound and stage techniques at CVO De Verdieping. Having 30 years of experience as a freelance sound technician, he contributes to the topic of working at height. “In this sector, safety is often seen as an obstacle, a necessary evil. However, a greater focus should go to well-educated and ‘safe’ technicians. This way I can make my contribution as a teacher and hopefully educate our ‘men in black’ besides the technical know-how”.
HANS MERTENS
Module 7
Module 7: Working safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
Hans Mertens has been teaching stage lighting techniques at Stedelijk Onderwijs in Antwerp since 2009. On top of that, he’s been working for over 20 years as a freelance light and video operator/designer and system technician. In the videos about working safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision, he provides insightful demonstrations of the complete setup and breakdown of electrical installations on the stage of a music centre in Antwerp.
RENZI MAES
Module 8
Module 8: Working safely with tools
Renzi Maes is a skilled set designer at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. Her precision and attention to detail in stage construction translate seamlessly into her ability to teach the safe use of both hand tools and powered hand tools. Aside from her work, she has a big passion for Japanese woodworking.
LIEVEN SLABBINCK
Module 9
Module 9: Working safely with chemicals
Lieven Slabbinck is the proud owner of a specialised effects company that produces constructions, stage decorations and effects for theatre, film, events and instructional purposes. In the videos for Module 9, he explains how to safely work with chemicals in a stage and event environment.
DAVY BOUTSEN
Module 10
Module 10: Setting up and rigging stage equipment
Davy Boutsen is an accomplished lighting and set designer who currently works as the head technician at Cultuurhuis De Zeepziederij in Bree, Belgium. He enlightens you on how to safely set up and rig stage equipment.
Would you please take a moment to give feedback on your learning experience?
Do you still have questions about the safety passport? at Podiumkunsten (BE): katrien@podiumkunsten.be.
