Sound By Design has a history a providing quality training for it's staff, and this was again proved in February when Griff and Chappie attended the 3 day "Rigging For The Entertainment Industry" course held at the Total Fabrications factory in Birmingham and taught by industry expert, Chris Higgs. The course, previously attended by Dave and Phil, covers most aspects of everyday rigging and covers legal duties and the need to work safely, basic knowledge of equipment and an understanding of the principles of working at height and fall arrest. The syllabus comprised the following:

• The law and safety legislation including PUWER and LOLER 1998 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, risk assessment, thorough examinations, inspection, testing and records
• Principles of lifting
• Trusses and using trusses
• Slinging
• Chain motors
• Working at height
• Fall arrest principles including inspection and care of fall arrest equipment
• Practical inspection of lifting equipment
• Safe systems of work

As well as being very serious, the course was great fun and allowed it's participants to try different techniques whilst in the air in a controlled and relatively safe environment.

Many thanks to Total Fabrications and Chris Higgs for allowing us to use these photos.