Total Fabrication Ltd’s (TFL) T2 safety truss has been put through its paces over the last few months at Sunderland’s Empire Theatre. The Theatre’s chief lighting engineer Dave Westcombe was enthusiastic about T2 and quickly allayed fears about using new technology. "The lanyard attachment is superb," he said "and within a very short time I was able to use it one-handed."

Four of the theatre's key staff were given on-site safety training by TFL's Chris Higgs: during this process, TFL brought along a representative from Lyon Equipment, a leading supplier of equipment and training for work and rescue at height. He followed the entire training procedure as an independent observer and then made recommendations on the correct harness pieces needed for the Empire’s particular environment.

The Empire's technical manager, Mel James, who had also completed the training course, liked the whole concept of the T2, but was concerned that the depth of the truss made focusing lights mounted beneath it a little awkward. TFL have since addressed this concern by making the truss available in three standard sizes - R470 the original specification, R450 which is a lower version similar in height to Medium Duty truss and T450 which is a triangular version. Venues can now choose the size most appropriate to their application.


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