For Motion Picture And Television Production

Safety and Health Program Orientation
Motion Picture and Television Production

The health and safety of every cast and crew member is of primary importance on every production. Safety does not occur by chance nor is it an idealistic or noble cause on paper - safety is simply the work that each of us performs to protect ourselves, our fellow workers, our products and services.

Injury and Illness Prevention Program 
Your Production Company should have a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program which is in compliance with State and F ederal OSHA (0ccupaaonal Safety and Health Administration) guidelines. The written injury and Illness Prevention Program should have been distributed to all key production personnel. The complete program should be available to be reviewed on-set at the production or set construction office.

What do I need to know?
In general, you should not be required or knowingly permitted to work in an unsafe work environment Each production should have an assigned safety coordinator who is responsible for identifying hazards that may be present in your workplace.

Specifically the Injury and illness Prevention Program contains the following elements:
 Person (s) Identified as being responsible for implementing the program 
System (s) for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards.
Methods and procedures for correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
Safety training to Instruct employees on general safe work practices and specific instructions with respect to hazards for job assignments.
System (s) for communicating with employees on safety matters.
System of discipline to ensure compliance with safe work practices and to reinforce safe work practices.
System (s) to maintain occupational health and safety records.

Who is responsible for safety on the set?
During construction:
The Construction Coordinator Is responsible for safety.

During production 
The First Assistant Director acts as the onset safety coordinator. The Construction Coordinator will continue to administer construction safety throughout production so long as construction takes place.

Office support:
In non-production (office) locations~ your supervisor is generally responsible for assisting with safety concerns.

What are MY responsibilities?
Each cast and crew member is responsible for the following:

Adhere to all Safety Rules and Ope rating Procedures.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as~ required.
Inspect and maintain equipment in good condition, with all safety guards in place when In operation.
· Report all injuries, no matter how minor immediately to a supervisor or set medic.
Encourage fellow cast and crew members to work safely.
  Report unsafe acts and conditions to a supervisor.

Additional Safety Facts
The remainder of this publication is designed to provide you with some basic guidelines to help you maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

Whenever you suspect or detect a fire, a fire response should take place. Notify the appropriate fire re sponse agency as established by your production. In addition, priority must be given to the evacuation of cast and crew from the affected area.

If you have placed the call for assistance and have been trained in the use of available fire equipment, you are encouraged to attempt to suppress a small fire in its small controlled stage. if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire- Don't! Instead, leave the building, closing the door behind you.

EARTHQUAKE OR WEATHER CRISIS
During any situation which requires prompt, decisive action, a pre-planned action plan is essential. Take the time now to familiarize yourself with the following guidelines:

Protect yourself from injury
You will be in a much better position to safely evacuate and assist others If you first take the time to protect yourself.
Think before acting
Take a deep breath! During an earthquake, look for a
place to safely 'Duck, Cover and Hold.
Know the primary and secondary exits from your work area
The door or path that you normally use to enter your work location may be blocked during an emergency situation. Be sure you always know another way to exit any location you are assigned to work.
Prepare
Keep a flashlight nearby and ready to use - check it frequently for proper operation 
Know the location of available fire extinguishers. 
Maintain clear fire aisles around the perimeters of stages.
Fortunately weather related disasters can usually be predicted, therefore, pre-planning must take place. Contingency weather plans will be made available that Include provisions for evacuation, transportation and shelter if necessary.

PROPERLY HANDLING THE CHEMICALS YOU USE

We are all exposed to a variety of chemical sub stances every day, both on and off the job. Most of these chemical substances do not present any health hazards through their ordinary use. When used improperly, a chemical may be a hazard to your health. By understanding the way chemical sub stances affect your health, you will know how to use chemical substances properly and protect your health while at work and at home.

If the use of chemicals becomes part of your work assignment, you should receive specific training in the safe use of the chemical product. This training should be done when you start working with chemicals, and again if any new chemicals are brought into your work area. If you have not been informed of the hazards associated with the chemicals used in your work area and have not been trained adequately on the best way to protect yourself when handling these chemicals, you must notify your Set Construction Coordinator immediately.

UNSAFE CONDITIONS IN THE WORKPLACE

All cast and crew members are responsible for taking appropriate action to correct unsafe and unhealthful working conditions.

Imminent physical or environmental hazards which are immediately threatening to the life and health of cast and crew should be brought to the attention of the First Assistant Director or the Construction Coordina tor immediately.

If you desire to report a safety concern anonymously, a "Safety Report Form" should be available for your use. This form can be found in a central location at your worksite.

INJURY / ILLNESS REPORTING

You are responsible for reporting all work related injuries and illnesses to your First Assistant Director, Construction Coordinator or other designated person (set nurse or supervisor) as soon as possible so that treatment can be made available to you.

Follow the procedures established for your production.

Production Safety Guidelines for Motion Pictures and Television

SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S JOB: We are firmly commit ted to providing and maintaining a safe and healthful work place. Every employee should understand the importance of safely in the workplace. By remaining safety-conscious, employees can prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, both for themselves and their ~workers. Every employee is responsible for following all safety rules. Every supervisor has a responsibility to help to provide a safe working~ environment. Any supervisory employee (for example, a foreman or gang boss who observes or has knowledge of unsafe work practices, dangerous equipment or untrained personnel) must take action to correct the situation all employees shall receive safely training.

INJURY AND ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM:
We have developed and implemented a comprehensive injury and illness prevention program.  The goal of this program is to protect the Company, its supervisors and employees by providing  an active safety program and preventing injuries and illnesses Each worksite will have a designated "Safety Coordinator" to provide a clear focal point for the safety program. Usually the Safety Coordinator will be the ranking supervisor on the location; for example, the First Assistant Director on the shooting set and the Construction Coordinator or his designated foremen on the building site. A copy of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program will he available on the set, in the Production Office and any other worksite (construction site, 2nd unit, etc.)

REPORTING: Anyone on or off the set who observes an unsafe: situation or hazard in the workplace should inform the First Assistant Director or the Construction Coordinator immediately If anyone desires to report a safety hazard anonymously, a "Safety Report Form" should he completed. The forms are located in a central location at the worksite. There will be no reprisal against anyone for reporting safety hazards or concerns.

SAFETY RULES: All safety rules, codes of safe practices and safety directions must be followed. These rules include but are not limited to the following: Maintain clear walk- ways and exits and a clear 44oot perimeter around the stage interior. Use safety belts when operating above ground and in elevating work platforms. There should be an MSDS for all hazardous chemicals and substances. Temporary guard- rails are to be used for elevated areas, pits and holes. Ma chinery and equipment shall not be serviced, adjusted or repaired while in operation.  Eye, ear and respiratory protec tion will he provided and must be used where appropriate. Practice good housekeeping at all times.

On The Set: Anyone on the set who observes an unprotected hazard or is uncertain about the safety of the shot should inform the First Assistant Director immediately Any stunt or special effects shot must be preceded by a meeting of key personnel  in addition to a walk thru rehearsal. If anyone in the cast or crew observes an unsafe situation in the workplace (carbon monoxide hazards. unsafe trailer or truck electrical or cabling hazards, etc), the First Assistant Director should be notified and shall follow through with immediate corrective action

Off Production Areas: every foreman, gang boss and supervisor is responsible for providing a safe workplace for their crew; each employee is responsible for complying with' safely rules. Each employee must be trained in the safe  operation of the tools he / she will be using, Safety meetings' must be held when new employees begin work, any time there is a new process, procedure, equipment or work location In addition, construction is required to hold a safety  meeting every ten days. These meetings are held to reinforce safe work practices, the use of safety equipment, proper work clothing, emergency procedures and any unusual safely hazards at the worksite.

TAILGATE MEETINGS : Department heads are responsible for verifying the safely training status of their crew (for example, checking condor training certificates personnel) and should review the safe operation of all equipment with their crew initially and whenever new equipment is utilized or new crew are added. Department heads must brief their crews in an informal "tailgate safety meeting" on the days  when any special hazard might be encountered and give special safety training as appropriate for the day's activities. Supervisors are required to enforce these guidelines and OSHA regulations and counsel or discipline Crew members who disregard safely rules

DISCIPLINE:
Employees who violate safely rules, who cause hazardous or dangerous situations or who allow such conditions to continue are subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment

RECORD KEEPING: The First Assistant Director is responsible for recording all safely meetings, stunt rehearsals, regulatory agency -inspections, accidents or injuries on the Production Report The Assistant Director should also assure that copies of appropriate "Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Bulletins" are attached to the call sheet when relevant work situations or equipment are scheduled

Each department head and supervisor is responsible for keeping a written safety file, tracking the training status of each member of their crew. They must also maintain records of disciplinary action taken when safety guidelines are violated  As documents are generated, they need to be forwarded to the Safety Administrator

INJURY / ILLNESS REPORTS : All work-related injuries, illnesses, OSHA citations or other safely violations must be thoroughly documented and reported to the First Assistant Director or the Unit Production Manager who will Insurance and Production safely Departments and follow~ to assure corrective action has been taken.

General Safe Practices for Cast and Crew

1. Report all unsafe conditions or equipment to a department head or the responsible safety person on the -.

2. Be aware of and comply with all production safety guidelines such as OSHA regulations, AMPTP Bulletins, Material  Safety Data Sheets, etc

3. Maintain clear walkways, exits and 4 foot perim eters around stages and sets.

4. Use safety belts when working above ground or in elevating work platforms.

5. Use personal protective equipment whenever necessary.

6. Do not attempt to use any equipment, tools or substances for which you have not been trained or authorized to use

7. Attend all safety meetings, especially if involved in a stunt or special effect which will be held to reinforce safe work practices, the use of safety equipment, proper work clothing, emergency procedures or any unusual safety hazards.

8. Report all accidents, injuries and illnesses to your department head or the responsible safety person immediately.

9. Do not attempt to work while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs.

10. Do not engage in horseplay, scuffling or other acts which could cause bodily injury or property damage.

11. Be aware of emergency evacuation routes and procedures at each location filming occurs.

12. Store all equipment and materials in a proper manner and place.

13. Maintain your work area in a neat, clean and orderly fashion.

14. Continually be aware of your surroundings and its condition.

15. Maintain sufficient access and working space around electrical equipment.

16. Do not eat, drink or smoke in areas where hazard ous substances are present.

17. Utilize proper lifting procedures. You may prevent a painful back injury when raising an object by bending your legs, then raising up with
your back in an erect position

 

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