HSC Entertainment Industry (VET) key terms

A ranked order of risk-reduction measures, from most to least reliable: eliminate the hazard, substitute it, use engineering controls, apply administrative controls, then use personal protective equipment.

A structured process of identifying hazards, judging how likely and how severe any harm could be, and recording controls before work starts.

A written document describing how a high-risk task will be done safely, listing the steps, the hazards, the controls and who is responsible.

Items worn or held by a worker to reduce exposure to a hazard, such as helmets, gloves, safety boots, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing.

A procedure for isolating an energy source, such as mains power, and fitting a personal lock and tag so equipment cannot be re-energised while someone is working on it.

A safety switch that constantly compares current in the active and neutral conductors and trips the circuit quickly when leakage to earth is detected.

The routine inspection and electrical testing of portable equipment, after which a dated tag is attached showing the test result and next due date.

A written record made when a worker notices an unsafe condition or behaviour, so the issue can be logged, assessed and fixed before anyone is injured.

A standard document supplied with a hazardous chemical that lists its hazards, safe handling, storage, first-aid and emergency procedures.

Planning rosters, breaks and task rotation so workers are not impaired by long hours, night work or insufficient rest, which reduces errors and injuries.

The legal and moral obligation of everyone at a workplace to take reasonable steps to protect their own safety and the safety of others affected by their work.

Any task where a person could fall from one level to another, requiring fall prevention such as guardrails, harnesses or elevated work platforms.

Equipment and systems, such as a full-body harness and lanyard, that stop a falling person and limit injury after a fall has already begun.

A machine such as a scissor lift or boom lift that raises workers and tools to height, used instead of ladders where sustained overhead work is needed.

A drawing and schedule showing what loads are hung where, their weights, the attachment points and the rated capacity of each supporting element.

The maximum load a component or structure may safely carry in service, calculated by applying a design factor to its breaking strength.

The maximum mass a specific piece of lifting hardware is rated to support under stated conditions, marked on the item by its manufacturer.

A U-shaped metal fitting closed with a pin or bolt, used to join rigging hardware such as slings to trusses or flown equipment.

The height above the stage floor at which a flown item, such as a lighting bar or scenic piece, is set to hang during the show.

A theatre's system of ropes, pulleys, counterweights and battens used to raise and lower scenery, drapes and lighting equipment above the stage.

A digital control protocol that sends lighting and effects instructions from a console to fixtures over a cabled network of up to 512 channels per universe.

The control desk where an operator records and plays back lighting states, adjusting intensity, colour, position and timing of fixtures.

A coloured transparent filter placed in front of a lighting fixture to change the colour of the beam it produces.

The session where each lighting fixture is aimed, shaped and set to its required position and beam size for the production.

A numbered instruction in a show that tells an operator or performer exactly when to start an action, such as a lighting change or sound effect.

A warning called by the stage manager shortly before a cue, alerting the operator or performer to be ready to act on the next call.

A written list of cues in running order, with numbers, descriptions and timings, used by operators and crew during rehearsals and performances.

The amount a microphone signal can be amplified before the sound system starts to howl, improved by careful placement and equalisation.

A loud howl or squeal caused when sound from a speaker re-enters a live microphone and is amplified repeatedly through the system.

A processor that boosts or cuts selected frequency bands in a signal, used to shape tone, reduce rumble and control feedback.

The blend of all sound sources that the audience hears, balanced by an engineer at a console positioned in the auditorium.

The separate blend of sound sent to performers on stage through foldback speakers or in-ear monitors so they can hear themselves and others.

The proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or screen, commonly expressed as 16:9 or 4:3.

A device that throws an image onto a screen or surface using a light source and lens, requiring correct throw distance and focus.

A control unit that selects between multiple camera and playback sources and mixes or cuts them to the main output screen.

A drawn plan showing the position of equipment such as lights or speakers, usually viewed from above the stage or venue.

The period when crew unload, install and set up equipment and scenery in a venue before rehearsals begin.

The period after a season or event when crew dismantle, pack and remove all equipment and scenery from the venue.

A timeline listing the tasks, deadlines and responsibilities for a production from planning through bump-in, performances and bump-out.

The script marked up by the stage manager with all cues, blocking and technical notes, forming the master record of the show.

A daily document listing who is required, where and at what time, plus contact details and key schedule information for the day.

The agreed line of reporting in a production team, showing who gives instructions and to whom problems should be escalated.

The agreed way of speaking on two-way radios, using clear, short messages, identifying yourself and avoiding private or lengthy conversation.

The action taken to remove or reduce a hazard, chosen according to the hierarchy of control and reviewed for effectiveness.

Disconnecting equipment from all energy sources and proving it is de-energised before maintenance or repair work begins.

The number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image or display, such as 1920 by 1080, which determines the detail visible.

A plug fitted at the end of a DMX cable run to absorb signal reflections and prevent erratic behaviour in lighting fixtures.

A group of up to 512 DMX control channels that share one data line from the lighting console to the fixtures.

Any object handled or used by a performer on stage, such as a cup, weapon or book, managed by the props team and tracked on a running list.

The team responsible for making, fitting, maintaining, laundering and preparing costumes, and for quick changes during performances.

The public areas and functions of a venue, including ticketing, ushering, foyer services and audience safety before and during a show.

A front-of-house staff member who checks tickets, guides patrons to seats, assists with access needs and helps manage emergencies in the auditorium.

A pre-arranged safe outdoor location where staff and patrons gather after leaving a building so they can be counted and accounted for.