5 Top Tips

Risk Assessment/ Health & Safety  

Hello, my name is Aaliyah Claxton and I am a freelance singer-songwriter and A&R exec for Atlantic Records. 

Health and safety are important as it is vital for musicians, especially those who freelance, as to protect yourself and safeguard your career.  

 Ear Protection 

Although noise is a part of the production of music and not unwanted, musicians can still be affected by noise levels which can pose a problem as hearing is a crucial part of the job. Music is a job known for having high noise levels that are essential to the event. However, this can cause irreversible repercussions. As an A&R executive I am in attendance of concerts for emerging talent quite often and as recreational music exposure is a potential risk factor for noise induced hearing loss it is important to combat this. Regularly wearing hearing protection when in attendance of these events such as Senner earplugs can help prevent premature or permanent hearing loss due to loud noises levels. This is as the earplugs can reduce decibel exposure while not deteriorating listening quality.  

Maintenance and Pat Testing  

PAT Testing- also known as Portable Appliance Testing- is the process of routinely checking appliances for safety issues. 

When using electrical equipment, you must ensure they are safe to use before and after using them. Testing must be done by a competent and qualified person; if you feel as if you are not competent enough to do so you should not carry out the tests as it can lead to damage to not only the equipment but possibly yourself and others. If a PAT test is not done properly, you can be putting unsafe equipment into circulation therefore an electrician or someone who has completed a course to an appropriate standard should be enlisted to do the job. There are no outright rules regarding PAT test frequency and maintenance itself can include visual inspection, testing, repair and/or replacement. Maintenance will determine whether the equipment is fully serviceable, or if remedial action is necessary. Testing will depend on the type of use and how much wear and tear the equipment receives. If there are any signs of damage or poor electrical standards the equipment should not be used until it is made safe. 

A full and accurate record of test result and equipment details should be kept for example the identification numbers, appliance description, serial numbers and time between tests. All data should show the tests undertaken and the results obtained. 
 

Cable Coiling  

Every cable has a natural coil and trying to coil in the opposite direction of that can cause it to twist to the inside and fail. the best method of action is “over under”. Coiling cables around your arm is the incorrect way of doing it and should be avoided. For coiling cables you should be able to make three to four loops by Cables should be coiled approximately 15 cm apart to prevent them from coiling too tightly as if they must be hung on a hook, the less loops means the larger the final coil will be made and the easier it will sit place on the hook. Using this technique cables will last for a longer time. The velcro on the cable should be wrapped around to ensure that it is secured in the coil. As a singer-songwriter I may have to coil equipment wires when packing things to move between locations for writing sessions. A consequence of not coiling properly is not only messy or tangled cables but broken wires to the inside. If cables are not cooled properly, when needed they could fail which -if there are no spares- could cause inconvenience and push back the songwriting session. 

below is a video on proper cooking technique-  

 Floorboards 

Floorboards are common in music environments and must be shut correctly when not in use. If cables or wires are plugged into the electrical system below you must pass them through the hatch, so when the floorboard is shut, it will not slice the wire. As a songwriter many times I may need to plus equipment such as an Amp into the floorboard therefore placing wires and ensuring I close it correctly is important in order not to cause injury to myself and others present. It is important to set this up correctly as in the worst-case scenario if anyone is injured badly, people may not want to hire you again. 

 Amps 

An amp is used in order to amplify or add effect to the sound of instruments such as guitar and bass. As amps can be quite heavy lifting them correctly is important as if it is done incorrectly you can injure yourself instantly or over a period of time. To lift an amp, you must first go into a squat position and then stand with a straight back as you lift and move. As a songwriter I may have to lift the amp to various areas of the room and to and from locations if I move to different studios for sessions.