Like Bajema, he says the biggest challenge is getting young men and women to take safety precautions as seriously as they should. Twenty-five percent of the students take it very seriously. His challenge is to make sure that while they are working they take the precautions required. His observation is echoed by Simon du Toit in the theater arts department. Here, too, safety is a matter of daily concern and students must learn to handle power tools and toxic wastes in ways that are safe.
Accidents happen when people take chances because they're in a hurry.
Just this summer the rigging was replaced in Te Paske Theatre to bring it up to code and make it safe for students working the lights. Jim Van Ry also work with students to make sure proper procedures are followed as they use tools and materials. But safety issues start even earlier in the theater shop. Du Toit and the students who work with him in designing sets need to carefully determine which materials will stand up under the weight of use demanded in a particular production so actors will be safe as they perform.