Health and safety

Step 1 - Look for hazards
Don't get bogged down with trivial hazards; concentrate on those posing a significant risk or harm

Step 2 - Who will be harmed and how?
Think about who may be affected and those who are particularly at risk.

Step 3 - Evaluate the risk
Consider the chance and severity of harm that each hazard may cause, taking existing control measures into account.

Judge whether an actual risk (high, medium or low) is likely from the identified hazard. Determine the necessary control measures using the following hierachy of approach.

• Avoid the risk completely; bit if this is not possible
• Reduce the risk to acceptable levels;
• Provide training and instruction, and personal protective equipment if the risks cannot be controlled in any other way;
• Reduce the risk at source by developing safe systems of working, giving collective measures priority.

Step 4 - Record the significant findings
The significant findings of the risk assessment should be recorded and communicated to those people who may be affected. In practise, this means ensuring that the production team and any contractors are informed of the significant hazards, the likely risks and the required control measures. Keep a record for future reference, it will help to demonstrate compliance with legal duties. The legal requirement to record findings applies if five or more people are employed but smaller companies are recommended to record details in order to show that they carried out risk assessment.

Step 5 - Review and revise your risk assessment
New hazards can be introduced if there is any significant change in the activity, equipment, substances or procedures. Risk assessments should be revised following any significant change or when they become out of date. If there have been no changes, the assessment should be reviewed at least once every three years to ensure that the precautions are still working effectively.

I struggled to find any more risks that could have been involved as my settings were quite safe places. For example, for my chair scene, there was a very small amount of objects in the room apart from the lighting and the chair my performer was sat on, as she didn't have to do anything I couldn't find an issue with this. Furthermore, the tracking shots down the alleyway were clear and empty as I chose a place where I knew not many people used, as well as not being near any main roads (which would have been a risk). The rest of my shots were taken in small empty music rooms that only consisted of my artist having to stand and act/perform, therefore I couldn't find a risk in with that either. Although, I always filmed with at least another person in the room, to ensure that nothing would be at risk and go wrong.