Cultural endeavours rely on a combination of creativity and practicality in order to succeed, where imagination can only take productions, performances and exhibitions so far. Alongside every creative idea, there is also an operational requirement that must be met in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the event in question is a success. Audiences must be encouraged, sets must be built and sound tests must be carried out so as to ensure that an artistic vision can be shared with the world.
It is in these kinds of operational contexts that lifting equipment is essential. Artistic endeavours require this kind of equipment in order to facilitate a wide variety of construction and engineering tasks, where behind the scenes crews work hard to make sure that cultural events can unfold in a safe but immersive manner.
Read on to find out more about how tools such as winches, hoists and spoolers can support a wide range of artistic and cultural projects.
A Brief Introduction To Hoists & Winches
Hoists and winches are essential pieces of lifting equipment that can be used for a wide variety of applications. Hoists consist of a strong chain or wire rope that is designed to lift or lower heavy objects, where these can be manually or electronically operated. In contrast, winches are built to pull loads horizontally, where these can be operated using a hand crank, diesel engine or a hydraulic motor.
Spoolers are another useful piece of equipment which are designed to reel rope, chains or wires at high speeds. Sometimes these are attached to a winch, or they can be used as a separate tool. Load monitoring equipment is also used alongside winches and hoists to check that all operations are being carried out safely, where overloading could be hazardous if a breakage occurs.
All of this lifting and pulling equipment is used across a range of different industries, including marine, construction and engineering applications. As such, there are many occasions where these tools are used in relation to the arts, an industry which requires lots of backstage manoeuvring in order to create memorable experiences for visitors and audiences alike.
How Lifting Equipment Is Used For Cultural Projects
Museums, art galleries, theatres, drama schools and music halls all depend on lifting equipment to function on an operational level, where lots of construction and engineering work goes into hosting cultural events. Some of the contexts which necessitate the use of winches and hoists include:
Theatre Sets & Stage Productions
Winches and hoists come in handy for a wide range of stage rigging and production tasks, where these often involve the positioning of heavy materials. Before a production, sets can be hung using vertical hoists, or pulled into place using portable winches. Both of these equipment types can also be used during performances, where automation and moving scenery effects are often produced with the help of motorised winching and hoisting tools.
Aerial Performances
Winches and hoists can also be used to move people as well as things. On stage effects as well as acrobatic performances and elaborate dance numbers can involve the hoisting of participants using motorised or hydraulic lifting equipment. These tools as well as the crew that operate them are typically concealed out of view of the audience.
Art Installations & Museum Exhibits
Lifting equipment is relied on for the curation of art installations and exhibitions, where these cultural events are often set up long before visitors are welcomed to appreciate them. Hoists are typically used to lift large sculptures or installations, where these motorised tools can be depended on to manoeuvre valuable pieces safely. Winches may also be employed to control various interactive, kinetic aspects of cultural exhibits.
Utilities
Like most modern activities, art events typically need a constant supply of electricity, water and gas to allow everything to run smoothly. Often lifting equipment is required for the installation and maintenance of this kind of infrastructure, particularly if events are to be hosted in remote or outdoor locations. Sometimes electrical lighting and other resources must be suspended from temporary scaffolding, where hoists can be used to make sure that this equipment is positioned safely.
Lighting & Audio Equipment
Sound and lighting are two essential things that help to contribute to artistic performances and exhibits. For professional theatre performances, dedicated crew members will be employed solely to maintain these resources, where lifting equipment can help to position overhead light fixtures or heavy duty speakers.
Advertising
In addition to helping to put on cultural events directly, lifting equipment can also be used in the realm of advertising. This is because it can be employed to position large banners or promotional displays on behalf of commercial venues. Dynamic displays could also be created with the help of a hoist, where billboards can be raised and lowered in front of a crowd.
Architectural Projects
New cultural venues are being built all the time, where lifting equipment is always required for the completion of these kinds of construction projects. If a stadium, theatre or museum is being refurbished or built from the ground up, then winches and hoists are likely to come in handy for the positioning of materials at all stages of the process.
Using Lifting Equipment Safely
When using heavy duty lifting equipment, particularly in a compact or indoor setting, it is vital that safety is prioritised at all times. This can be achieved in the following ways:
Load Monitoring – In order for lifting equipment to be used safely, it must only be loaded with goods of a certain weight. If the load is too heavy, then the cable or wire could snap, endangering crew members below. Load monitoring tools can be used at all stages of construction work to ensure this risk is minimised.
Equipment Checks – Another important safety protocol to follow when using lifting equipment is to inspect everything before it is used. Winches and hoists must be inspected for frays, breakages or missing parts prior to being put into operation, where this is a good way to prevent accidents.
Crew Training – Backstage crew and operational teams should always undergo an appropriate amount of training before they are allowed to use any lifting equipment. Adequate safety training courses and knowledge refreshes can make sure that everyone knows how to keep themselves safe or how to respond to an emergency situation.
Risk Assessments – Before any event or exhibition gets the go ahead, it should be subjected to a thorough risk assessment. This should detail how lifting equipment is likely to be used as well as how crew members will be kept safe. Everyone involved in the project should have access to the assessment in order to comprehend how to proceed.
Protective Equipment – Importantly, all crew working with lifting equipment should be provided with adequate personal protective clothing. This may include hard hats, high visibility jackets, protective glasses and heavy duty gloves, where these items can go a long way in preventing a range of serious safety incidents.
Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services: Lifting Tools For All Your Backstage Needs
Whether you’re building a theatre set, positioning professional speakers or installing concert lighting, our professional lifting equipment can help to make the whole backstage process straightforward. So if you’re looking for a premium electric winch to hire or a second hand hydraulic winch to buy outright, rest assured that we have the equipment you need, where all our products are fully safety tested and ready to go. Whatever your industry or specialism, we have the winch to suit your needs.
Our hoists and winches are ideal for a range of construction and engineering tasks, where our expert team can advise you on the best tool for the job. Regardless of whether you’re looking to put on a West End show or manoeuvre your commercial marine vessel, you can find everything you need with Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services.
Beyond this, our engineers can also carry out repairs and refurbishments on all kinds of winches, so you can get back to the job at hand as soon as possible. Speak to us today to find out more about our full range of winching equipment and maintenance services.