Add Allergies to Your Rider: Contract Clauses Every Performer and Brand Needs

Start with the risk: why every performer and brand needs an allergy rider now

When a lead actor is forced to cancel performances after an onstage allergic reaction, it isn’t just a health scare — it’s a costly production disruption, a reputational risk, and a legal exposure. Content creators, brands and production teams still lack a single, standardized approach to managing on-set product risks: who discloses what, when a patch test is required, and how liability is allocated. That gap is the problem this article fixes.

Case study: Carrie Coon’s reaction to fake blood (what happened and why it matters)

In early January 2026, actress Carrie Coon disclosed that she experienced an allergic reaction to the fake stage blood used in the Broadway production Bug. The reaction led to last-minute show cancellations and public questions about product safety and disclosure. Her incident crystallizes the industry pain point: simulated bodily fluids, prosthetic adhesives, makeup bases and topical stage products are all potential allergy triggers — and productions haven’t always treated them as predictable occupational hazards.

"I had some sort of onstage allergic reaction to the fake stage blood used throughout the more violent scenes of the play." — public statement by Carrie Coon, January 2026

From a contracts perspective, that one line of reporting should prompt every creative and commercial team to re-check their riders, waivers and insurance allocations. Below I map out the exact contract language, procedural requirements and insurance allocations producers and brands should adopt in 2026 to manage allergies and product risks — and to protect performers, crews and the bottom line.

2025–2026 industry context: why now

• Heightened focus on ingredient transparency: Brands and production houses are facing increasing scrutiny from unions, clients and audiences to disclose ingredients in cosmetics, stage bloods and prosthetics. Late 2025 saw a surge in public inquiries about product safety tied to several on-set incidents.
• Digital safety data availability: Digital Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and QR-code-based ingredient access are now common practice; contracts should require provision of SDS before use.
• Union guidance and reputational risk: Union reps and advocacy groups pushed for clearer on-set medical disclosure protocols in late 2025. Productions that ignore safety guidance can face work stoppages, fines, or boycotts.
• Insurance market tightening: Insurers are adding endorsements or higher premiums for productions that use special effects makeup and simulated fluids unless risk mitigations (patch testing, SDS, medical staff on call) are documented contractually.

Contract essentials: the clauses every rider must include

Below are the specific clauses to add to a performer or brand contract rider, each followed by sample language and practical notes on enforcement and limitations. Use these as templates when negotiating — but always have local counsel and union reps review final language.

1) Allergy & Ingredient Disclosure Clause (Mandatory Pre-Call Disclosure)

Purpose: Ensure the production discloses all product ingredients and active components used on or near the performer before the first call or fitting.

Sample clause: "Producer shall provide Performer and Performer’s authorized medical representative, at least 72 hours prior to first scheduled use, a complete list of active and inert ingredients, manufacturer contact information and the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for any topical product, adhesive, prosthetic, theatrical blood substitute, or spray used on or in proximity to the Performer. Failure to supply this information within the 72-hour window permits Performer to decline use without penalty and require a reasonable testing window."

Notes: 72 hours is a minimum; some performers or union rules require 5–7 days for review and medical sign-off. Include a digital delivery method (SDS via email and QR code) and a clause confirming receipt.

2) Patch-Test & Medical Clearance Requirement

Purpose: Require standardized patch tests or skin-sensitivity tests with defined timing, method and remedies.

Sample clause: "All topical products, including but not limited to adhesives, prosthetic adhesives, theatrical blood, cosmetic glues and body paints, shall be patch-tested on the Performer not less than 48–72 hours prior to first use under production conditions. The test shall be performed by a qualified makeup artist or licensed clinician and documented. If a positive reaction occurs, Producer must propose and fund substitute products or alternative staging; Performer retains the right to refuse any product that causes or risks an allergic reaction."

Notes: Specify the patch-test method (Finn chamber, open application) and documentation requirements (photographs, dated clinician note). For critical scenes where product must be used, add contingency language for alternatives (e.g., pre-filmed insert, prosthetic change, stunt double). Consider integrating modern screening tools — see hands-on AI skin analyzers to assist medical sign-off where privacy and accuracy are appropriate.

3) Product Approval & Ingredient Transparency Rider

Purpose: Give performers or their representatives a role in approving products and requiring traceability.

Sample clause: "Performer or Performer’s designated representative shall have final approval rights over any product applied to the Performer’s skin or mucous membranes. Producer shall provide chain-of-custody documentation for all products used on the Performer, including lot numbers and manufacturer batch information for the products used during rehearsal and performance."

Notes: Chain-of-custody helps in the event of a reaction and can assist with recall or product testing. Brands should maintain inventory logs and batch numbers; performers can mandate this as a condition of agreement. Practical tools for labeling and short-term inventory at live events can be found in field equipment roundups like portable label printers and patient ID solutions.

4) Emergency Response & Medical Treatment Clause

Purpose: Ensure immediate on-set medical response and define cost responsibility for treatment.

Sample clause: "Producer shall ensure the presence of qualified medical personnel and immediate access to emergency medication (e.g., epinephrine, antihistamines), and shall be responsible for all reasonable medical costs for treatment of any allergic reaction experienced by the Performer during rehearsals, fittings, performance and on-site production activities. Producer must document emergency response procedures and share them with Performer before the first call."

Notes: Clarify whether the production provides medical staff or pays for off-site care. Include transport logistics (ambulance if necessary) and follow-up care funding. For event-grade emergency planning and field gear recommendations, see event gear guides such as field gear for events, which also discusses onsite preservation practices.

5) Liability, Indemnity & Insurance Allocation

Purpose: Allocate risk between the Performer and Producer and ensure insurance coverage matches the risk profile.

Sample clause: "Producer shall maintain and keep in force during the term of this Agreement Commercial General Liability insurance and Cast Insurance / Non-appearance insurance (or equivalent) with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate (or greater as required by union or venue). Such policies shall specifically cover adverse reactions to makeup, prosthetics and theatrical special effects. Producer hereby indemnifies and holds Performer harmless from claims, damages or losses arising from Producer’s negligence or the negligence of its agents in providing or using products, except to the extent arising from Performer’s material breach of this Agreement."

Notes: Adjust coverage amounts per production budget and union requirements. Insurers may require documented controls (patch tests, SDS, medical staff) as conditions for coverage — include language committing to those controls. Keep an eye on regulatory developments; recent regulatory shifts can affect coverage and labeling requirements.

6) Waiver & Assumption of Risk (with legal guardrails)

Purpose: Where appropriate, capture voluntary assumption of ordinary risks but avoid absolving gross negligence.

Sample clause: "Performer may be asked to sign a limited assumption of ordinary risk for non-hazardous makeup; however, no waiver shall apply to claims arising from Producer’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or failure to disclose ingredients or provide required medical accommodations. Any waiver or release provided by Performer will be strictly construed and does not limit Producer’s obligations to provide SDS, patch testing and medical response."

Notes: Many jurisdictions do not enforce waivers for gross negligence or willful conduct. Keep waivers narrow, time-limited, and specific to avoid being struck down.

7) Notice & Documentation Procedures

Purpose: Create a clear process for reporting, investigating and materially documenting any reaction.

Sample clause: "In the event of any suspected allergic reaction or adverse event, Performer or Performer’s representative shall notify Producer immediately in writing. Producer shall document the event, retain all product samples and lot information, and provide Performer with copies of any incident reports, medical records and test results. Producer shall not destroy product samples or inventory associated with the incident without prior written consent of Performer or Performer’s insurer."

Notes: Preservation of evidence is critical for insurance and potential product liability claims. Include timelines for preserving samples (e.g., 90 days) and for sharing investigatory results.

Practical implementation checklist for producers and brands

1. Integrate the Allergy & Ingredient Disclosure Clause into every performer-facing contract and rider template.
2. Mandate SDS submission and batch/lot documentation from product suppliers before any on-set use.
3. Require patch-testing protocols with documented results for all topical products and adhesives at least 48–72 hours before use (longer for known allergens).
4. Stock emergency medication (EpiPens, antihistamines) and list medical contacts in call sheets.
5. Secure insurance endorsements that explicitly cover topical product reactions and require evidence of risk-mitigation procedures as a condition of underwriting.
6. Create an incident response kit and chain-of-custody process for product samples and inventory.
7. Train makeup and effects teams on ingredient substitution, safe application practices and how to run standardized patch tests.

Union and regulatory considerations (Actors’ Equity, SAG-AFTRA and others)

Unions often have specific expectations around health and safety, and some require pre-approval of products used on members. In 2025–2026, union safety committees increased attention on topical reagents and theatrical effects as part of broader on-set safety updates. Producers negotiating with union talent should:

• Consult collective bargaining agreement (CBA) language for medical and safety obligations.
• Notify union safety reps when special effects or potentially sensitizing products will be used.
• Follow any union-mandated timelines for disclosure and testing.

Always loop in the union safety officer early in pre-production to avoid delays or grievances.

Insurance & indemnity: what underwriters want to see in 2026

Underwriters now look for documentary proof of risk control measures before offering coverage or favorable terms. Key items to have in place:

• Signed riders requiring SDS and batch information.
• Written patch-test protocols and results for principal performers.
• Evidence of medical staff presence and emergency response plans on call sheets.
• Inventory logs and chain-of-custody documentation.

If you can show these controls contractually, insurers are more likely to extend coverage without high-risk endorsements. Producers should also ask for Certificates of Insurance from vendors supplying makeup and topical products.

How to negotiate these clauses without stalling the project

Practical bargaining tips:

• Start early: Put disclosure and testing requirements in the first draft of the rider, not as last-minute add-ons.
• Use tiered requirements: Less invasive products (e.g., clothing dyes) can have lighter disclosure; products applied to mucous membranes should carry stricter rules.
• Propose cost-sharing: Producers can offer to fund additional testing or alternatives to get buy-in from talent.
• Offer substitutions: Include a nominated set of approved hypoallergenic product options to streamline approvals.

Sample clause pack (copy-ready language — adapt and review with counsel)

Below are short, modular snippets you can drop into riders. They are intentionally concise — tailor them to your production and jurisdiction.

• Disclosure: "Producer will disclose complete product ingredient lists and SDS to Performer and Performer’s representative at least 72 hours prior to use."
• Patch Test: "Producer shall arrange and document a 72-hour patch test for any product applied to skin or mucous membranes; negative result required prior to use."
• SDS & Batch Info: "All products used on Performer shall be accompanied by SDS and batch/lot numbers; samples shall be retained for 90 days."
• Emergency Care: "Producer shall provide qualified medical personnel and cover all reasonable medical expenses arising from on-set reactions."
• Indemnity: "Producer indemnifies Performer against claims arising from Producer’s negligence in product selection, storage or application."

Reminder: These are templates. Local law and union CBAs may require stronger or different language.

Real-world example: how the rider could have changed the Bug scenario

Had the Bug production included a robust Allergy & Ingredient Disclosure Clause and mandatory 72-hour patch testing, the production could have identified the sensitivity before opening night. Chain-of-custody records might have helped isolate a specific batch or supplier. Medical readiness and a clear indemnity/insurance allocation would have minimized both health risk to the performer and the financial impacts of canceled performances.

Limitations and legal caution: waivers don’t solve everything

Performers should be wary of broad waivers that attempt to shift all risk to them. Courts frequently refuse to enforce waivers that absolve a producer of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Producers can still protect themselves through careful contract drafting, thorough disclosure, documented risk mitigation and appropriate insurance.

Actionable checklist: what to build into your next rider or talent brief

1. Insert the Allergy & Ingredient Disclosure Clause and require SDS at least 72 hours pre-use.
2. Mandate documented 48–72 hour patch tests for all products applied to skin or mucous membranes.
3. Require chain-of-custody logs, lot numbers and vendor certificates for all applied products.
4. Specify on-set medical coverage and emergency medication availability; list contact procedures in call sheets.
5. Allocate liability with a clear indemnity clause and procure insurance endorsements for topical product reactions.
6. Document notice and preservation procedures after any adverse event.
7. Send rider language to union safety reps and legal counsel for pre-approval to avoid delays.

Final takeaways: performer safety is contractable, provable and insurable

Carrie Coon’s incident is a timely reminder: allergic reactions to stage and special-effects products are foreseeable and manageable — if companies treat them as contractual and insurance issues rather than occasional accidents. In 2026, ingredient transparency, digital SDS access, and documented testing are standard expectations, not optional extras.

Make the risk explicit in your riders. Require testing and disclosure. Secure insurance that matches the risk. And remember: good documentation is your best defense for performer safety and production continuity.

Next steps (call to action)

Need ready-to-use rider language or a checklist customized to your production type? Download our free 2026 Allergen & Makeup Rider Pack and insurance checklist at modeling.news/contracts or schedule a legal review with an entertainment counsel experienced in performer safety. Protect your talent, production schedule and reputation before the first call.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and sample contract language for planning and negotiation. It does not constitute legal advice. Always consult qualified legal counsel and union representatives before finalizing contracts or waivers.

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