Child performers are special and need particular care and protection. Many aspects of the workplace or work activities represent a potential level of risk that is much higher for children than it would be for adults.

Most of Equity’s agreements and policies require that a child performer be engaged under conditions that meet or exceed either the Venue/Engager/Theatre’s provincial legislation or regulations, or in the absence of such, the Child Performers Guideline (Ontario), whichever is applicable.

The Guidelines were prepared by representatives of the live performance industry to assist employers/engagers, supervisors and working professionals in meeting the requirements under the Ontario Health and Safety Act, assisted by experts in the various skills, hazards and techniques mentioned throughout the document.

The Guidelines recommend realistic procedures to develop methods for identifying potential hazards in live performance work environments, in order to increase productivity and to protect those working in the industry. Safe procedures do not involve losing the appearance of risk that can be such a vital quality of onstage live performance.

Most of Equity’s agreements and policies require that artists be engaged under conditions which meet or exceed either the Venue/Engager/Theatre’s provincial legislation or regulations, or in the absence of such, the Safety Guidelines for the Live Performance Industry in Ontario.