Health & Safety

The cameraman/woman nominated to be in charge is to ensure

• That all necessary precautions are taken when manoeuvring camera equipment, taking particular care that associated cables do not cause any unnecessary hazard;
• That camera equipment – tripod, microphone, lights, cables are in good working order, balanced and secure;
• That all reasonable precautions are taken when operating the camera so as not to strike artists or persons;
• That all necessary safety checks have been carried out on domestic and hired in equipment by appropriately qualified professional before the equipment is used;
• That all electrical and electronic equipment where applicable, is adequately protected against moisture, rain etc.

Competency – Technical Equipment & Operations

All contractors and freelancers engaged by Helen James Productions Ltd will be asked to provide evidence that they have the necessary skills training to undertake their roles using and operating technical equipment, and managing their own health and safety including any appropriate health and safety management responsibility.
Helen James Productions Ltd will communicate and encourage open dialogue with contractors and freelancers on health and safety matters to ensure safe working practice, including Accident and Near Miss reporting.

Disused buildings

Disused buildings and sites expose production crew to numerous hazards including unstable walls and floors, asbestos, broken glass or needles and vermin.  These hazards should be investigated and a risk assessment performed, and should consider things like: can an alternative site be found, whether the presence of asbestos is suspected, are the floors/walls stable, are utility supplies safe, is pest control needed?

Electrical Equipment and Portable Practical Props

Electrical equipment is a common cause of fires. One reason can be when portable electrical equipment malfunctions or becomes damaged. Sometimes these problems are not always obvious.  Contractors or freelances using their own equipment should ensure it has been PAT tested by a competent person.
Practical Props should be appropriate for the location and action being filmed.   Props as part of the set on location can in themselves create hazards e.g. hot kettle, trip hazards etc.  Additional props brought on to a third party’s set should only be considered where they will not cause additional hazard to crew or artists.

First Aid

First Aid requirements should be determined by means of a risk assessment.  Where filming on location belonging to a third party, in empty premises or on open ground, the assessment should consider the risk associated with the shoot, the location and the distance to the nearest medical facilities.  Where necessary, provision of first aid box or a nurse should be considered.

Highways and filming from vehicles

• Productions working on or close to the public highway should wear suitable high visibility gear unless the risk of being struck by a vehicle is very low.
• Consideration should be given to the effect that production will have on public traffic.
• Filming from Vehicles - Equipment and any operator must not obstruct the driver’s view or distract his/her attention while driving.
• All equipment should be secured to prevent injury to occupants in a collision

Lone Working

Research and recceing locations can put people at risk when working alone.  Recces should be pre-planned and where possible attended by at least 2 people.  Where they are to work alone the time, location, named person being met and expected duration should be notified.  Recce should take place during daylight, wearing appropriate clothing.  A fully charged mobile phone should be taken.

Night operations

Additional lighting, clothing, heating, nourishment may be necessary for filming at night.  Special safety measures may also be necessary where filming is taking place near a public highway, railway, water course, dock or airport.  Where appropriate, liaison with the local authorities and emergency services may be necessary.

Travel

The risks associated with driving should be managed and control measures implemented by:

• Ensuring the driver holds a current British driving licence
• Ensuring the driver has appropriate experience of type of driving to be undertaken
• Using the safest route especially in adverse weather
• Allowing sufficient time for journeys including short breaks within journeys
• Avoiding driving at the end of a long day.

Water

Work on or near water presents numerous risks including drowning, infections e.g. Weils Disease, hypothermia, electric shock and collision with underwater objects.
The following control measures may need to be implemented
• Only allow essential personnel to work near or on water
• Where possible, barrier the water’s edge to prevent falls
• Suitable lifejackets, not buoyancy aids, must be provided and instruction in their correct fitting and use given. Rescue lines should be available.
• Crew or artists should not enter the water unless safety divers are present
• Water should be assumed to be contaminated.

Working from height

Work at height should only be undertaken where it cannot be avoided; in which case the following hierarchy must be followed and a risk assessment undertaken.
• Work from an existing structure with good access and egress, from which there is no risk of falling
• Check for provision of handrails or other barrier edge protection
• Check for equipment to minimise the distance or consequence of a fall i.e. airbags, nets, harnesses
• Remain a safe distance from the edge (2m)
• Make the edge more identifiable through lighting, change of colour etc.