By Win Williams

The sets for movies, plays and other entertainment ventures, professional and amateur, can be hazardous to performers and others involved behind the scenes, like special effects and craft workers necessary for a successful production.

When putting the show on is the priority, set safety can be overlooked. Among the most common occurrences are falls from the likes of ladders, lifts and catwalks. Amputations (mainly fingers) aren’t unheard of either when tools are incorrectly or carelessly used.

And sometimes work crews on the set just don’t think in the face of deadline pressures. In one instance, a set for a children’s television show featured a lovely playground that looked great for the cameras. Unfortunately, up close it was fraught with hazards, like nails sticking out and fall hazards. It clearly wasn’t something you’d want children playing on. Happily, set safety issues were addressed before the set was put into use.

California and 21 other states have long recognized the risks; their state Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require that every injury resulting in hospitalization be reported. In most other states, though, injuries like falls on sets or accidents with props were rarely reported until new federal OSHA requirements were established in 2015. They affected production hubs like Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Florida and other states with no local rules.

The changes brought home the point that construction is one of the more hazardous aspects of creating a production set. Whether the work is done by the producer’s employees or outsourced workers, it pays to post set safety standards and monitor to ensure they are being followed. It also helps to have safety experts identify trouble spots.

Two of the most common areas of set hazards and ways to avoid or prevent them include:

• Slips, trips and falls. A production set can have numerous landmines. Just for starters, think about uncovered cables stretching across high traffic areas. A poorly lit backstage is another hazard, especially when there’s clutter or unexpected obstacles. Careless use of ladders and lifts when building can easily lead to falls.
  Set Safety measures:
  • Cover cables securely
  • Add bright lighting to set and all stage areas, particularly at doorways and stairs
  • Use hazard warning signs routinely at danger spots, like unexpected steps or uneven surfaces
  • Never leave ladders set up and unattended; ensure they’re properly placed, not overloaded and workers don’t overreach. Encourage people to use three points of contact while going up and down ladders.

• Equipment use and misuse. Whether it’s larger equipment like lifts or handheld power tools or cameras, lights and props, anticipate the risks and make sure safe operations are followed. Improper handling can lead to falls, and amputations can occur. And camera operators who are following the action, not the people and things besides them, can be involved in serious collisions.
  Set Safety measures:
  • Ensure workers have been trained for safe lift operations, like knowing load capacity, how to assess the environment (e.g. uneven floors), and use of emergency stop buttons.
  • For power tools like saws, proper maintenance (guards, safety switches, electrical cords) is a top priority and so is proper use of personal protective equipment like safety glasses and work gloves. When not in use, equipment should be disconnected.
  • Heavier equipment must be on wheels for safe mobility, and cameras, lights and props that aren’t on wheels should be moved by teams trained in proper lifting techniques.
  • When camera work is following the action, assign a second person to backwatching duties to guide the operator and avoid accidents.

It’s great and necessary to have talent and action in front of the camera, but how it’s all put together behind the scenes is important, too. Eliminating the hazards makes for a successful production.

HUB International’s team of Entertainment Insurance experts are ready to guide you on all the risk considerations that should be factored into planning for any type of show or event. Contact us today.