Health & Safety Policy

Crave Theatre Company is committed to protecting the health and safety of our artists and audiences. Making sure you are safe and healthy is our highest priority. 

Our policy is to provide and maintain safe systems of work for all those working for or on behalf of Crave and to provide contractors and volunteers with such information, training and supervision as they need in order to maintain these safe systems.

Crave Theatre Company recognises its responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and other related legislation and seeks to satisfy its obligations by adopting this Health and Safety Policy.

We know you are anxious and nervous about the COVID-19 emergency and we want to do whatever is necessary to support you. Below are details on our Health and Safety Policy, which includes considerations for COVID-19.

As we look toward the future, we have set our sights on creating a plan that will allow us to reopen to the community in a safe and responsible way. Our Safety Guide contains the guidelines that we recommend in order to keep each employee, volunteer and audience person safe and healthy. At this time, we are not holding in-person events or in-person rehearsals. Updates will be made as we are able to welcome you back to additional facilities for our programming.

There is no “perfect” or outlined way to proceed in a pandemic such as this one, but we have drawn upon the guidelines suggested by local, state, and federal agencies, experts, and associations. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. By entering Crave Theatre Company’s facilities, contractors, volunteers and audiences voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Crave Theatre remains committed to monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines and restrictions that we are subject to; as such, everything in this safety guide is subject to change based on local, state, and federal regulations and recommendations.

This is an unprecedented time for performing arts organizations and we appreciate the amazing support and caring shown to us. It will take us all working together to create a safe and healthy return to in-person programming.

Organization Commitment

This company policy includes the measures we are actively taking to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus. The team at Crave Theatre Company is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace for all volunteers, independent contractors, and audience members. It is important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. 

Scope

This Health and Safety policy applies to all volunteers, independent contractors, and in-person audience members.

Resources

Crave Theatre Company will make available the necessary resources (i.e. people, personal protective equipment (PPE) and facilities) in order to:

• Comply with all relevant workplace health and safety legislation.
• This includes guidance from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html 
• Ensure the health and safety of volunteers, independent contractors, and audience members

Policy Priorities

Crave Theatre will conduct their activities and provide a work environment that:

• Protects the health, safety and welfare of all persons, including volunteers, contractors and visitors, affected by our workplace activities.
• Actively encourages controlling risk in workplace activities.
• Strives for continuous improvement in workplace health and safety.
• The workplace will address risk management as a priority. Workplace health and safety is both an individual and shared responsibility of all persons working with Crave Theatre Company. The following responsibilities are essential to the success of the policy and are in accordance with OSHA and CDC guidelines.

Communication

EVERY contractor or volunteer must provide contact information to be on file to enter space reserved by Crave Theatre Company.

• Volunteers and contractors should always check their email prior to coming to work to check if there are any updates to the schedule or if not allowed to come to the facility.
• Volunteers and contractors should always check their email prior to coming to their volunteer shift or rehearsal to check if there are any updates to the schedule or if their volunteer shift is cancelled.
• Crave will use email, text and phone calls to alert everyone to communicate any changes to the best of our ability.
• Crave will pause all work, rehearsals, performances or volunteer shifts out of an abundance of caution if we have a positive COVID case, or locally cases increase and a pause is recommended by local health officials. We must all remain nimble and adapt to the best health interests of the entire Crave family.
• All board meetings will continue to take place virtually.

Responsibilities and Policy Elements

Below, we outline the required actions volunteers and independent contractors should take to protect audience members and themselves from a potential Coronavirus infection.

Social Distancing Policy

• Social distancing means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible (e.g. lobby).
• Volunteers and independent contractors will increase physical space between others by avoiding hugging and handshakes.
• Meetings and performances will take place remotely when possible.

Respiratory Etiquette and Hand Hygiene Policy for Volunteers and Independent Contractors

• For in-person meetings, rehearsals, or events, Crave’s COVID Compliance Officer will meet the volunteer, contractor or audience member at the entrance to the meeting or performance space, take their temperature, and escort them back to the theatre.
• Place alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol in multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene.
• Provide soap and water in the workplace. If hands are visibly soiled, soap and water should be chosen over hand sanitizer.
• Volunteers and contractors must perform proper hand hygiene upon entering the meeting or performance space
• CDC’s 5 Steps of Handwashing

1. Wet hands with clean running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.
2. Lather hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of hands, between fingers and under the nails.
3. Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse hands under clean, running water.
5. Dry hands using a clean paper towel or air dry them.

• Encourage volunteers and contractors to sneeze and cough into their elbow or into a tissue. Hands must be washed with soap and water for 20 seconds immediately after coughing or sneezing.
• Provide tissue and no-touch disposal receptacles.
• At the Box Office, the Box Office Manager will input the audience member’s credit card information and then have the audience member slide their own card into the Square. No signing of credit card slips will be necessary. If audience members must use a pen for paperwork, we will instruct the audience member to place the pen in a “dirty pen” receptacle, which will be disinfected.

Routine Environmental Cleaning Policy

• Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace using disinfectant wipes/solution, such as work stations, keyboards, telephones, iPads, pens, countertops, etc.
• High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, drawer/cabinet handles, seating, supply receptacles, faucet levers and spout must be cleaned using disinfectant after every use.

Reduce Transmission Among Volunteers and Independent Contractors

• Each working day all volunteers and independent contractors will have their temperature taken upon arrival to work.
• Volunteers and contractors who have symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, anosmia, GI symptoms, or shortness of breath) should notify the COVID compliance officer and their supervisor and stay home.
• If a volunteer or independent contractor is confirmed to have COVID-19 infection, the volunteer or contractor should inform Crave’s COVID Compliance Officer of the possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The fellow volunteers or contractors should then self-monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath).
• Sick volunteers and contractors should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met in consultation with their HCP and state and local health departments.
• Volunteers or contractors who are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and the COVID Compliance Officer and stay home until they are cleared by their HCP and state/local health department to return to work.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Contractors and Volunteers

• Our volunteers and independent contactors will be wearing two cloth face masks or a N95 mask, in accordance with OSHA and CDC guidelines.
• Universal Masking Policy:
• Anyone in a direct in-person interaction is required to wear a N95 or CDC-approved cloth masks.
• Proper Mask Use:
• The mask should be worn all the way on so that it covers your nose and mouth.
• Do not wear your mask under your chin, below your nose, or in other positions such as dangling around your neck.
• Avoid touching your mask to reduce contamination of the mask and your environment.
• If you need to touch or adjust your mask for any reason, please perform hand hygiene before and after.
• Remove and dispose of the mask once it is moist (e.g. from the humidity in your breath) and when the mask becomes soiled, damaged or difficult to breathe through.

Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection

Crave Theatre Company may allow volunteers and contractors who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 to work if all of the following conditions are met:

1. Volunteers or contractors who have contacted confirmed or suspected cases are asymptomatic. All volunteers or contractors with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should be managed as if they have this infection, regardless of the availability of test results.
2. If you have been tested to determine if you’re still contagious, you are able to return to work if you meet the ALL of the following criteria:
3. No fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of fever reducers).
4. Asymptomatic; other symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath have improved. (*Staff who are recovering from COVID-19 should wear a facemask while working until 14 days after onset of symptoms).
5. Volunteers or contractors have self-quarantined for 14 days after the high-risk exposure.
6. Volunteers or contractors have taken a COVID-19 test and the result came back negative. This result will be shared with the COVID Compliance Officer, who will adhere to all HIPAA guidelines for personal health information. Crave Theatre will coordinate testing if warranted. 

Open Door Policy

Should any contractor or volunteer have any concerns or suggestions regarding conditions related to COVID-19, or if they require any reasonable accommodation related to COVID-19, they are encouraged to contact Sarah Andrews at sarahmandrewss@gmail.com or 360-931-5664 (cell phone) or their direct supervisor or the COVID Compliance Officer

Additional Measures

• A phone call or email will be made prior to the volunteer’s or contractor’s meeting, or an audience member’s scheduled appointment to pre-screen for contraindications.
• Absolute Contraindications for in-person visit:
• Actively sick (fever, cough, shortness of breath) within last 2 weeks.
• Caring for someone currently infected with COVID-19.
• Temperature checks for volunteers, contractors, and audience members– anyone with a temperature greater than 99.1 F will be asked to return home and self-quarantine.
• Volunteers and contractors will be required to check their temperature at the start of each shift or in-person meeting using a no contact thermometer.
• Audience members will also be screened prior to entering the theatre for their appointment.

FOR THE FUTURE

GENERAL PRACTICES FOR (EVENTUAL) IN-PERSON REHEARSALS

• Any volunteer or contractor who has a temperature above 100.4F or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted into the rehearsal hall or facility. No one will be allowed in the rehearsal room unless they are in the scene or invited by the director or stage manager. Our goal is to keep each rehearsal group as small as possible and when possible include the same “working group” of volunteers and employees.
• HAND WASHING. Volunteers and contractors  will be required to wash or sanitize their hands upon arrival to the rehearsal hall or theatre and before they leave, as well as wash or sanitize their hands during each break.
• FACE COVERINGS. Volunteers and contractors should wear physical respiratory protection, such as cloth face masks, whenever possible. After receiving approval from stage management and the COVID Compliance Officer, actors may remove their masks to run a scene or final technical rehearsal, but must immediately replace their mask after the scene has completed.
• PRODUCTION MEETINGS. Production and design meetings will be held virtually until further notice.

STAGING

The following policy will be in effect in regards to staging while in rehearsal:

• The rehearsal schedule will be created to utilize small groups whenever possible and/or to hold virtual rehearsals.
• Performers who are not scheduled for a particular rehearsal will not be permitted in the rehearsal room.
• Everyone will wear a mask (can be provided if needed.)
• Performers are asked to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before their call. Those who arrive earlier than 10 minutes prior could be asked to wait in the lobby area or outside.
• Seats will be assigned to each performer for day-to-day use in the rehearsal room.
• Bring a water bottle with a closed lid as you will be able to fill the water bottle but there will not be a drinking fountain available at this time.
• Performers must observe all current local, state, and federal recommendations and regulations in regards to social distancing and gatherings.

REHEARSAL SPACE SANITIZATION

The rehearsal space should be frequently sanitized in accordance to the guidelines and materials as provided.

• Checklists for rehearsal space sanitization will be provided and should be completed at the end of each rehearsal by the stage manager. These checklists will include but are not limited to: daily disinfection of rehearsal props and office supplies, daily washing or sanitization of props, rehearsal skirts and other fabric items, and sanitization of high-touch areas.
• Cast members will be asked to sanitize the props that they come in contact with after each use.

FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS:

Audience Hygiene:

• Audience members are required to bring a mask from home in order to attend performances. If they do not have one or forget to bring it, a cloth mask can be purchased at their visit.
• Proper Mask Use:
• The mask should be worn all the way on so that it covers your nose and mouth.
• Do not wear your mask under your chin, below your nose, or in other positions such as dangling around your neck.
• Avoid touching your mask to reduce contamination of the mask and your environment.
• If you need to touch or adjust your mask for any reason, please perform hand hygiene before and after.
• Remove and dispose of the mask once it is moist (e.g. from the humidity in your breath) and when the mask becomes soiled, damaged or difficult to breathe through. Replace with a fresh mask. 
• A mask must be worn at all times when in the theatre space.
• Audience Members are encouraged to sneeze and cough into their elbow or into a tissue. Hands must be washed with soap and water for 20 seconds immediately after coughing or sneezing.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol will be available in multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene. Tissues and no-touch receptacles will be available.
• Soap and water will also be available. If your hands are visibly soiled, soap and water should be chosen over hand sanitizer.
• Audience Members must perform proper hand hygiene upon entering the meeting or performance space
• CDC’s 5 Steps of Handwashing

1. Wet hands with clean running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.
2. Lather hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of hands, between fingers and under the nails.
3. Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse hands under clean, running water.
5. Dry hands using a clean paper towel or air dry them.

Social Distancing Policy

• Social distancing means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible (e.g. lobby).
• Audience Members are expected to adhere to social distancing expectations by increasing physical space between others and avoiding hugging and handshakes.

The Process of Attending a Show:

• For in-person events, Crave’s COVID Compliance Officer will meet the audience member at the entrance to the meeting or performance space, take their temperature, and escort them back to the Box Office.
• At the Box Office, the Box Office Manager will input the audience member’s credit card information and then have the audience member slide their own card into the Square. No signing of credit card slips will be necessary. If audience members must use a pen for paperwork, we will instruct the audience member to use a pen from the “clean pen” cup, where sanitized pens will be available. Once used, the Audience Member will be directed to place the used pen in a “dirty pen” receptacle.
• Audience Members must perform proper hand hygiene upon entering the meeting or performance space
• CDC’s 5 Steps of Handwashing

1. Wet hands with clean running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.
2. Lather hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of hands, between fingers and under the nails.
3. Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse hands under clean, running water.
5. Dry hands using a clean paper towel or air dry them.

• Audience Members will be assigned a seat. Seating will be configured in a social-distancing compliant manner. 

This document will be updated as safer guidelines are identified. Thank you for your help in making sure Crave continues to be a safe and healthy environment for all to create transformation theater opportunities.