7 Simple Ways to Make Your Portable Stage Safer
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Portable stages are designed to go up, come down and move from one event to the next. That convenience also means safety should be considered every time your stage is set up.
Whether your stage is in a school, church, hotel, event venue or production space, a few simple steps can help create a safer environment for performers, speakers, students and staff.
Here are seven things to check.
1. Start With a Level, Stable Surface
Before setting up your stage, take a look at what's underneath it.
Make sure the floor or ground is stable, level and appropriate for the staging system you're using. Even a well-built stage can become unstable if it's placed on an unsuitable surface.
Once the stage is assembled, walk the entire surface and check for unexpected movement or instability before the stage is put into use.
2. Make Sure Every Connection Is Secure
Once your stage is assembled, check that all platforms, legs, risers and connecting components are completely engaged.
Don't assume that because two platforms are next to each other, they're properly secured. Check the connections as you build and again once the entire stage is assembled.
LimeLight stages use our SecureLock Riser to Platform Technology to make connecting stage components simple, secure and intuitive.
Click. Lock. Done.
Planning a new stage?
→ Design Your Portable Stage and we'll help you determine the platforms, height, access and accessories your setup needs.
3. Use Guardrails at 24" and Higher
As stage height increases, so does the potential risk of a fall. At LimeLight, we recommend using guardrails on stages 24" high and above, particularly along open sides and the back of the stage.
Also consider who will be using the stage and how it will be used. Schools, churches and venues may have children, older adults, performers or speakers moving around the stage -sometimes in low-light conditions or while focused on an audience rather than the edge of the platform.
And don't just look at whether a guardrail is present. Pay attention to how securely it attaches to the stage.
LimeLight's SecureRail guardrail system is designed to help guard against lateral movement and create a more secure connection between the guardrail and stage.
Guardrails may add to the cost of your stage, but safety is one place where cutting corners doesn't make sense.
Contact us to learn more about LimeLight's SecureRail technology and why it matters.
4. Choose the Right Stairs
Getting safely onto and off the stage is just as important as what happens on top of it.
Use stairs designed for the height of your stage and make sure they're securely attached before the event begins. Depending on the stage height and application, handrails can provide additional support for people entering and exiting the stage.
Think about your audience, too. A stage being used by young students, older adults or the general public may benefit from easier access and additional handrail support.
Make safe stage access part of your plan.
→ Shop Portable Stage Stairs with Handrails for different stage heights and configurations.
5. Don't Overload Your Stage
People aren't the only weight on a stage.
Podiums, musical instruments, speakers, chairs, scenery, equipment and other items all contribute to the total load.
Know the rated capacity of your stage and stay within the manufacturer's guidelines. It's also important to consider how weight is distributed across the stage rather than simply looking at the total amount of weight. Most manufactures list load rating using a per square foot over a distributed load weight rating - pay particular attention to these ratings.
If you're unsure whether your stage can support your intended use, check with the manufacturer before the event.
6. Inspect Your Stage Before Every Event
Portable stages get moved, stacked, transported and stored. Make a quick inspection part of every setup.
Look for:
- Loose or damaged components
- Bent hardware
- Missing parts
- Connections that aren't locking properly
- Damage to stairs or handrails
- Loose guardrails
- Unusual movement once the stage is assembled
Pay particular attention to components that take more wear during transportation, setup and breakdown.
If something doesn't look or feel right, address it before people get on the stage.
7. Keep the Area Around the Stage Clear
Stage safety doesn't stop at the edge of the platform.
Keep stairs, entrances and exits clear of cords, cases, bags and other equipment. Make sure users have a clear path onto and off the stage and avoid creating trip hazards around high-traffic areas.
Take another look at the area immediately before the event starts. Equipment and cables have a way of accumulating during setup, even when the area was clear when the stage was first assembled.
A Safer Stage Starts Before the Event
Most portable stage safety isn't complicated.
Set it up correctly. Secure the connections. Use appropriate stairs and guardrails. Stay within the rated capacity. Inspect everything before each use.
A few extra minutes spent checking your stage before an event can make a meaningful difference once the room fills up.
At LimeLight Stages, safety is considered from the beginning of the design process. Features such as SecureLock connections, SecureRail guardrails and TÜV-certified products are designed to help make setting up a secure portable stage simpler.
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Choose your footprint, height, access and perimeter, and we'll help translate your design into the components you need.
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→ Shop Portable Stage Packages
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and applicable local requirements when setting up and using portable staging.