AV work can make safety seem like somebody else’s problem. We’re installing displays, pulling cable, connecting equipment, and troubleshooting systems. We’re not pouring concrete or installing electrical distribution, so it’s easy to forget that our work can put us on ladders, lifts, and active construction sites, sometimes working above ceilings or around equipment that isn’t finished or ready to be used.
That becomes a bigger issue when a project is behind schedule. Missing infrastructure, delayed equipment, and unfinished work create pressure to get things done so the room can open on time. A cable that should have been pulled during rough-in may now need to go above a finished ceiling, or a display may need to be mounted while other trades are still working in the same area. Someone might say it will only take a few minutes. I’ve heard that kind of thinking plenty of times, but the length of the job doesn’t change the conditions we’re working in.
We may not control the construction schedule, but we still have a say in whether we’re going to do the work under safe conditions and within the limits of our training. We can’t assume the general contractor or electrical contractor has already taken care of everything. They have responsibilities, we have responsibilities, and those need to be understood before somebody starts working.
Know the Site and the Task
That starts before we bring equipment into the building. Construction sites have their own requirements for orientation, personal protective equipment, access routes, and coordination with the site foreman. Site conditions can change between visits. A hallway that was open last week might be blocked today, or the drywallers may be working overhead in the room where we’re supposed to install equipment. Knowing the building doesn’t mean we automatically know the work area is safe.
Ladders are a good example because they’re something most AV technicians use regularly. That familiarity can make it easy to overlook the basics. The ladder needs to be appropriate for the height and task, inspected, and used correctly.
There is also a point where a ladder just isn’t the right tool. If we’re installing a large display or handling equipment that requires both hands, we may need a lift or another suitable platform. Being able to reach something from a ladder doesn’t necessarily mean we should be doing the work from one. (Yes, Gunzel Washington, I am admitting you are right.)
Confirm Structural Support
Structural mounting is another area where we need to be careful about what we assume. We routinely attach displays to walls and suspend equipment from ceilings, and we may be working with substantial weight. On Oct. 13, 2026, James King addressed this in his IT in AV column, “AV Is Mounted to Walls, But Are the Walls Ready for AV?” He discussed how tight schedules, smaller budgets, and limited staffing can lead to structural questions being overlooked or left to people who aren’t qualified to answer them.
One point from that article that stuck with me was the distinction between having backing in the wall and knowing whether the wall was designed to support the equipment. We can confirm that backing exists, select a mount rated for the display, and use the specified hardware, but those steps don’t automatically tell us whether the structure can carry the additional load. As Joe Way pointed out in James’ article, proper backing doesn’t necessarily mean the wall or ceiling was intended to support that extra stress.
That’s an important distinction. We’re responsible for providing accurate equipment weights, mounting information, and installation locations, but we need to involve the appropriate structural professionals to determine whether the structure can support the system. This matters even more in older buildings or spaces that have been renovated several times. The drawings may not reflect every field condition, and the wall we’re looking at might not have been intended to carry anything close to the load we’re planning to add.
If that question hasn’t been answered, I don’t want our team making their best guess because the installation is scheduled for that afternoon. We need to document the concern and get it reviewed by someone qualified to make that determination. That might be an uncomfortable conversation when the project is already behind, but the schedule doesn’t make an unanswered structural question any less important.
Recognize Hazards and Respect Limits
Electrical work has similar boundaries. A lot of our equipment operates at low voltage, but that doesn’t mean we’re always working in an area where everything is safe to touch. I’ve been shocked more times than I can count at work. We install equipment near receptacles, branch circuits, and other energized systems.
Troubleshooting an AV issue doesn’t automatically qualify us to open electrical equipment or modify wiring. If the fix requires another trade, bringing that trade in is part of getting the job done correctly.
We also have to think about the people working around us. Tools, packaging, temporary cables, and open floor boxes can create hazards for other trades and eventually for the people using the building. Near the end of a project, you might have construction crews, furniture installers, and AV/IT technicians all working in the same space. Someone needs to coordinate the work area and make sure everyone understands their responsibilities.
The difficult part is recognizing when a reasonable request turns into an unreasonable safety expectation. If infrastructure was left out, access is blocked, or prerequisite work isn’t complete, we may not be able to proceed safely. Documenting that isn’t refusing to help. It gives the project team a chance to resolve the problem, reschedule the work, or get someone with the right equipment and qualifications involved.
That is also why responsibilities need to be clear before installation begins. The AV team may specify equipment weights and mounting locations, the design team may determine the structural requirements, and the contractor may install the approved backing and hardware. But somebody needs to verify that those pieces actually come together. A note saying “provide backing” doesn’t necessarily tell us who evaluated the wall or confirmed that the completed work meets the requirements.
James made a point in his article about speaking up when something doesn’t seem right and involving the people who can help resolve it. I agree with that. Speaking up doesn’t mean we’re trying to take over the job of a structural engineer, electrician, or safety professional. It means recognizing when a question needs an answer from one of them instead of relying on experience, confidence, or pressure to finish the job.
AV may be one part of a construction project, but safety is not someone else’s problem. We need to plan the task, understand the conditions, recognize our limits, and stop when something isn’t right. Meeting the deadline matters. Getting everyone home safely matters more.
