Responding to requests from riggers across the globe for additional time, the comment period on the International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICOPER) has been extended to December 31, 2021. Copies of the current version of ICOPER and the Excel form for submitting comments can be downloaded from www.esta.org/icoper. You can also email icoper@esta.org to request a form be emailed to you.
ICOPER has been downloaded by over 1,100 people located in 59 different countries. It has been translated into Traditional Chinese and Polish, with additional translations underway in Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Romanian, and Russian. Comments on translated versions should be sent to the organization responsible for the original translation.
The International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICOPER) was drafted by industry professionals from around the globe to promote awareness and safety worldwide by providing a model code of practice with a focus on arena rigging but applicable to all event production rigging disciplines. The authors determined ICOPER should undergo a comment and review cycle every four years as a response to changing work practices, technology, and terminology.
Riggers and other stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments so their thoughts and suggestions for improvement can be considered in the review process. This is your opportunity to support an important industry code of practice. Completed comment forms should be emailed to icoper@esta.org.
About ICOPER
In response to calls from the international entertainment rigging community, rigging professionals from around the globe came together to create ICOPER to promote awareness and safety worldwide by providing a model code of practice with a focus on arena rigging. However, this Code of Practice is applicable to all event production rigging disciplines.
The practices described in the Code are intended to provide a universal foundation for those engaged in planning, managing and executing entertainment rigging. ICOPER also provides guidelines for those who wish to develop policy, design training content or help establish certification criteria.
Key areas covered in ICOPER include:
- Pre-Installation
- Planning and Engineering
- Drawing Conventions
- Equipment Selection
- Onsite Rigging Work
- Lifting Operations
- Show Rigging Operations
- De-Rigging Work
- Post Production
Also included in the document are a glossary, an appendix covering determinate and indeterminate rigging systems, and a regional comparison of terms regarding standards.
The principal authors of the Code are Nick Barnfield (New Zealand), Tiny Good (Australia), Chris Higgs (United Kingdom), Ed Kish (United States), Bill Sapsis (United States), and Roy Schilderman (The Netherlands).
The authors believe that recognition and acceptance of this universal code will help promote regulatory harmony and reduce potential conflicts between regions around the world. They hope the resulting improvements in communications and relations with regional and local regulators will be particularly beneficial to those professionals involved in international production.
Acknowledging that regulations and standards differ around the world, ICOPER is not prescriptive, rather it provides a series of guidelines that, if followed, will produce uniformly predictable results and enhance safe practice. Adopting and supporting ICOPER, therefore, benefits everyone involved in event production.
For information about translations of ICOPER click here
To see a list of organizations that have endorsed ICOPER click here
Further information from ESTA: www.esta.org/icoper
