Emergency preparedness in New York City's theater district and its impact on workplace safety

Description

The May 1, 2010 attempted car bombing in Times Square highlighted concerns among theater district employees that existing emergency preparedness and evacuation plans and procedures present a workplace safety hazard and are in need careful reexamination to ensure workplace safety. A Roundtable discussion among the relevant stakeholders was arranged by the Assembly Subcommittee on Workplace Safety and the Committees on Labor, Governmental Operations and Cities, and included representatives of the theater employees, the theater owners, the New York City Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management, and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Topics of discussion included the suitability, application and enforcement of existing emergency preparedness rules and regulations under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and the New York City Fire Code; the development of new Fire Code provisions related to emergency preparedness in places of public assembly, including theaters; the existence and efficacy of regular 'Life Safety Training' conducted by theater owners and/or production companies; and improving communication between the City and theaters, and within theaters among the theater owners and the production companies, during an emergency.

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