1.1.C - Location Agreements/Safety Clearance

Curtin University insists on compliance with industry standard procedures relating to location shooting, including location agreements and Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

You must therefore check WORKING WITH VIDEO ON LOCATION guidelines and advise your Tutor/Lecturer and/or Unit Coordinator along with the Support Specialist - Pre-Production of where you are intending to shoot for your production exercise. The Tutor/Lecturer and/or Unit Coordinator and/or Support Specialist - Pre-Production will advise and assist you in obtaining any location agreement and/or shooting permit necessary. 

After your initial consultation with your Tutor/Lecturer regarding your intended activity, they may deem the ‘activity’ as a ‘TIER 1’ low risk activity. This implies that your conversation with the Academic discussing the potential risk(s) and their associated control(s) is sufficient.

Risk Assessment Tier

Low Risk Assignments. An activity that uses Curtin University, Bentley Campus as the location (on campus), is worked on during business hours and does NOT involve the use of lights/lighting kits and/or items of a similar nature. An activity which is predictable and innocuous in nature; is of a short duration and close to base.

Action Required

Tier 1 Risk Assessment to be reviewed considering risks and controls for the assignment. The Supervising Academic is satisfied that Student(s) understand the potential risk and agree the assignment is Tier 1. Monitor activity.

Approval Required

Academic Supervisor Approval.

This conversation will be summarised in some form; that is, in an email and/or Project Approval Form. If your activity is deemed a ‘TIER 1’ risk, on presenting the appropriate documentation, you are able to book equipment accordingly without further discussion with the Support Specialist - Pre-Production regarding potential risks.

Alternatively, your Tutor/Lecturer may deem the ‘activity’ as a ‘TIER 2’ medium risk activity or ‘TIER 3’ high risk activity.  For a ‘TIER 2’ or ‘TIER 3’ activity you MUST complete a FIELD SAFETY AND RISK ASSESSMENT FORM for every production activity prior to booking and borrowing equipment. This form must be lodged with the Support Specialist - Pre-Production for checking, and they will separately sign off on the Project Approval Form for each individual shooting day with respect to your Risk Assessment.

Assignment Risk Assessment Tier

Medium Risk Assignments - Potentially hazardous assignment though may be considered predictable, short term, requiring location permissions and/or permits. Location may be considered hostile, though, close to or in Metropolitan area. Specific PPE may be needed – e.g. High Visibility clothing and footwear. Low to Medium potential hazards and control measures – e.g. weather and human behaviour.

Action Required

Tier 2 - Potential risks associated with assignment to be discussed including appropriate controls by the Supervising Academic with the Student(s). If deemed a Tier 2 Assignment, the Supervising Academic will guide Student(s) in the initial understanding that a Formal Risk Assessment will be required for the completion of a Field Safety & Risk Assessment Form. The Risk Assessment will be reviewed by the Production Office who will help assist the Student(s) to consider risks and implement the appropriate controls for the assignment. If the Supervising Academic is satisfied that Student(s) understand the potential risks, the assignment will be deemed a Tier 2. Monitor activity.

Approval Required

Academic Supervisor Approval

When requested by Supervising Academic may include Production Office Sign-off

Assignment Risk Assessment Tier

High-Risk Assignments - Potentially hazardous assignment though may be considered predictable, short and/or medium to long term, requiring location permissions and/or permits. Location may be considered hostile and/or remote (outside the Metropolitan area). Specific PPE may be needed – e.g. High Visibility clothing and footwear. Low to Medium potential hazards and control measures – e.g. weather and human behaviour.

For Tier 3 assignments, the Supervising Academic will organise a formal meeting to discuss the high-risk scenario(s) with the Student(s) and the Production Office, where the potential risks and appropriate controls will work through. Depending on the dynamics of the assignment, the Supervising Academic may require follow up meetings, to ensure risks are minimised and there is a full understanding of controls. A Formal Risk Assessment will be required for the completion of a Field Safety & Risk Assessment Form

Action Required

Tier 3 Risk Assessment to be reviewed considering risks and controls for the assignment. The Supervising Academic is satisfied that Student(s) understand the potential risk and agree the assignment is Tier 3. Monitor activity.

Approval Required

Academic Supervisor Approval

When requested by Supervising Academic may include formal meeting(s) with all group members and Production Office along with Production Office Sign-off

Unless your Tutor/Lecturer states otherwise, when filming you are OBLIGED to work with a crew of two or more members at all times. This is to ensure your safety at all times.

Once you have had your documentation, PROJECT APPROVAL FORM and FIELD SAFETY AND RISK ASSESSMENT FORM approved by your Tutor/Lecturer and signed-off by the Support Specialist - Pre-Production, it should then be submitted with your EQUIPMENT BOOKING FORM to the MCCA Store.