HIERARCHY OF CONTROL
- Kate Separovich (Unlicensed)
Risk management is thinking about what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and how likely it is to happen and then minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
There are 6 Hierarchies of control and a combination of these can be used to control risks.
On your risk assessment form, you can choose any many controls as necessary for the risk.
ELIMINTATION
eg. if fire is written into the script. you would remove the threat of real fire by using VFX.
SUBSTITUTION
eg. Substitute a real glass vase which needs to be broken with a vase made of sugar glass. or substitute a hot cup of tea with a cold one.
ISOLATION
eg. if filming in an old building, isolate a person from risk of injury by using barricades to block off certain access points.
ENGINEERING
eg. Using aids to lift heavy items, erecting a KD tent if shooting outside and there are no area’s to provide shelter.
ADMINISTRATION
eg. in public displaying a filming in progress sign, shot list a scene with stunts, advise on call sheets the weather forecast, ensure crew have completed safety modules or training for the equipment.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
eg. wearing hi-vis safety vests, closed in shoes, masks etc.
ESSENTIAL RISKS TO INCLUDE WITH EXAMPLE CONTROLS
All risks and controls should be individually considered for your project.
EQUIPMENT (eg. Lights, Cables, Specialist Equipment)
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Personal Injury & Economic Injury: Mishandling of equipment | ELIMIATION + SUBSTITUTION | Any cables that are frayed or damaged will not be used and replaced. Leads will not be run across any area subject to vehicle access and protected against contact with sharp edges or heavy loads. |
| ISOLATION | Any stationary cables will be off the ground where possible, not twisted, crushed or kinked. Any cables that require being on the ground will be taped to avoid tripping hazards. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Crew have completed workshops and have experience with relevant equipment. Equipment and cases will be securely and clearly identified. |
| PPE | Crew will wear appropriate clothing including closed in, flat sole shoes. |
MANUAL HANDLING
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Personal Injury and Economic Injury: Mishandling of equipment | ELIMINATION | No person shall be required to lift more than they can lift on the day. |
| ENGINEERING | Appropriate Aids will be used such as trolleys. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Consideration will be given to object characteristics (weight, shape, grip, what the load is, Dimensions), pathways shall be cleared prior to moving anything. Crew will employee safe lifting practices. |
| PPE | Crew required to lift/move equipment will have closed in flat sole shoes. |
THEFT OF EQUIPMENT
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Economic Injury: due to lack of security | ELIMIATION | Equipment taken off campus will be kept overnight in a secure location and not left in vehicles. |
| ISOLATION | On set equipment will be kept in a secure place that crew members can easily see/monitor and public cannot access/or approach. |
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Personal Injury: due to unwell crew member | ELIMINATION | Unwell crew members will be sent home. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Crew will be reminded to wash hands regularly. |
| PPE | Sanitising gel, Masks and gloves will be provided to crew should they wish to use them. |
COMMON RISKS WITH EXAMPLE CONTROLS
All risks and controls should be individually considered for your project.
FATIGUE
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Personal Injury & Economic Injury Due to accidents caused by tiredness of crew. | ELIMINATION | Crew will not work more than 10hours a day and will have at least 10 hours break between wrap and the next day’s crew call. |
| SUBSTITUTION | Provisions will be made for alternate means of transport home, if necessary, by either carpool, public transport or taxi. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Crew will be advised to ensure they have adequate sleep, rest and meal breaks during the working day. A good diet, adequate exercise and consideration into activities before and after filming will be communicated. Crew will be encouraged to hydrate during filming and caffeine will be provided if necessary. |
| PPE | Crew will be required to wear comfortable flat sole closed in shoes and encouraged to change sock's part way through the day. |
FILMING AT NIGHT
Consideration should be given to the fact that darkened environments can inhibit communication especially for those with hearing impairments.
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Economic Injury and Personal Injury due to lack of light. | SUBSTITUTION | Consideration given to shooting day for night. |
| ENGINEERING | Work lights supplied and used. Crew members should always carry battery operated torches to use when necessary. Trip hazards are eliminated. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Appropriate warnings will be provided prior to shoot of low light levels. |
PUBLIC
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Economic Injury, Personal Injury due to public interaction | ELIMINATION | Filming will take place during a time when there are no/less public around. |
| ENGINEERING | Area’s will be cordoned off with bollards/traffic cones to disincentivise public entering the filming area. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Filming taking place signs will be put up. |
WEATHER / OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Economic Injury, Personal Injury due to overexposure to heat or cold | ELIMINATION | Consideration given to postponing shoot during extreme weather conditions. |
| ENGINEERING
| KD’s/TENT’s set up where no shade/shelter is available. Wet Weather covers and umbrella’s used on equipment that is at risk of getting wet. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Drinking water available for all crew. Crew advised to wear suitable clothing. |
| PPE | Make Available towels, blankets, warm drinks and shelter in change rooms, KD’s or Vehicles in extreme cold conditions caused by either weather, immersion in water or another cold source. |
Personal Injury due to overexposure emissions (smoke or smell) | ADMINISTRATION | Ascertain if talent or crew have Asthma or other breathing related conditions and make provisions. |
| PPE | Masks provided for talent and crew. |
Personal Injury due to exposure to insects | ADMINISTRATION | Ascertain if talent or crew have any medical conditions that may be triggered by insects |
| PPE | Talent and Crew provided with Flynets and Insect repellent if necessary. |
ANIMALS
This will require some thinking about the specific needs of your project.
Are you a drama shoot that requires a dog to move in a particular way?
Are you a doco shoot that needs to work with a snake?
RISK DESCRIPTION | PROPOSED CONTROL | CONTROL DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Economic Injury, Personal Injury due to animals' behaviour unable to be controlled. | ELIMINATION | Scripted animal replaced with stock footage or fake animal. |
| ISOLATION | Consideration given to proximity of animals to crew/cast. |
| ENGINEERING | Leash/fence/gate etc used when appropriate. |
| ADMINISTRATION | Crew reminded of danger of animal's behaviour unexpectedly. |
|
| Cast and crew consulted on animal to see if there are any fears. |
| PPE | Gloves, closed in shoes, facemasks worn when necessary. |