MTSU Offers OSHA Training Workshop For Live Entertainment Production

Ernie Santiago, owner of ESH Training LLC in Waipahu, Hawaii, lectures on event safety at the inaugural OSHA 30 Conference for Live Entertainment Production held at Middle Tennessee State University, June 11-17, 2018. The conference was the first of its kind held in the United States. (MTSU photo)

Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Recording Industry recently hosted an Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification workshop earlier this summer, aimed at those working in Live Entertainment Production.

The inaugural OSHA 30 Conference for Live Entertainment Production was held June 11-17 and was conducted with encouragement from the Event Safety Alliance, or ESA, an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting “life safety first” throughout all phases of live event production and execution.

Frank Baird, assistant professor in MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry realized the need for face-to-face OSHA training for live entertainment workers while attending the ESA’s annual Event Safety Summit held at the Rock Lititz Campus in Lititz, Pennsylvania, last December. On Jan. 1, the state of Nevada began requiring some people working in the entertainment industry in Nevada to complete OSHA training and more states may decide to follow suit and enact similar legislation.

OSHA 30 is a federal, 30-hour, construction and general industry health and safety certification course.

“This was the first time a live event industry version of this OSHA course has been offered in the United States,” said Baird. “Attendees included live event industry leaders from the U.S. and the United Kingdom, live entertainment professionals from Nashville to Denver as well as our own MTSU faculty, staff and students.”

Middle Tennessee State University hosted the inaugural OSHA 30 Conference for Live Entertainment Production June 11-17. Pictured, from left, are OSHA 30 conference organizers Tim Roberts, director, The Event Safety Shop (TESS) in Bristol, United Kingdom; Dr. Donald Cooper, executive director, U.S. Event Safety Alliance; Ernie Santiago and Kathleen Santiago, owners, ESH Training LLC in Waipahu, Hawaii; Alan Hochfelsen, owner, Production Management in Aiea, Hawaii; Ken Paulson, dean of College of Media and Entertainment; and Frank Baird, assistant professor, MTSU Department of Recording Industry. (MTSU photo)

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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