Health & Safety
Behind every great piece of cinema is a crew that prioritises safety. These guidelines are designed to keep you, your peer filmmakers, and your talent safe.
General Guidelines When on Campus
To keep our creative home running smoothly, please adhere to these core campus rules:
- Medication: Central Film School staff and employees are legally prohibited from administering any medication to students.
- Keep it Clean: Film sets accumulate waste quickly! All rubbish must be placed in the designated bins provided, which are emptied on a regular schedule.
- Breathe Clean Air: All Central Film School premises are strictly Smoke-Free and Vape-Free zones.
- Four-Legged Friends: To protect equipment and maintain an accessible environment, animals are not permitted on campus unless a formal, prior arrangement has been officially approved.
- Emergency Preparedness: Everyone (including staff, students, and guests) must be aware of our official emergency procedures. Don't worry, we will take you through this step-by-step during your induction process.
- First Aid Access: If a minor injury occurs on campus, First Aid kits are centrally located in the G.10 Resource & Facilities Office.
Production & Wardrobe Essentials
A professional set requires professional behavior and attire. Whether you are shooting in a studio or on location, protect yourself and your equipment by keeping the following in mind:
- Dress for the Job: Please wear appropriate clothing when working on projects, especially while active on a shoot.
- Protect Your Hands: Be aware of when protective clothing is required. For example, always wear appropriate safety gloves when handling hot lights or heavy rigging.
- Watch the Gear: Film equipment is highly valuable and presents a massive trip hazard. Never leave gear lying around unattended or haphazardly on the floor.
The "Appointed Person" & Risk Assessments
Every safe production requires a clear hierarchy of responsibility.
- The Ultimate Responsibility: Primary accountability for health and safety on any production rests squarely with the Appointed Person. While this individual may delegate specific safety tasks to various crew members, they remain ultimately responsible for ensuring those tasks are completed satisfactorily.
- Risk Assessment Adherence: The Appointed Person is strictly responsible for ensuring the crew adheres to the official pre-approved risk assessment.
- Authority in Crises: There must always be an Appointed Person on set who possesses the clear authority to take complete charge in emergency situations.
- Personal Projects: Planning a passion project? For all personal shoots, you must have an appropriately trained person present with you for the absolute duration of the filming period.
Set Design, Continuity & Hazard Prevention
A chaotic set is a dangerous set. Incorporate these foundational rules into your floor plans and daily setups:
- Clear Path to Safety: Fire exits must remain completely visible, entirely unobstructed, and easily accessible at all times. No exceptions!
- Mind the Cables: Cables are an inevitable part of filmmaking, but they are also major tripping hazards. All cables and physical hazards must be clearly signposted or safely stored or taped down.
- Medical Privacy & Peace of Mind: Before production begins, privately ask all cast and crew members if they have any medical conditions they feel the production should be aware of. This must be handled with the utmost discretion. Hold this information in the strictest confidence, and securely dispose of it after the shoot in alignment with Central Film School schedules.
- Emergency Isolation: Always have pre-set, organized arrangements for medical emergencies. This includes designating a quiet "isolation area" on your location for anyone who falls ill during the course of the filming period.
Knowing Your PPE and Hazardous Materials
Understanding standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and identifying high-risk materials is a vital industry skill.
- What is PPE? This covers all specialized equipment worn or held to protect you against health and safety risks. Depending on your shoot, this may include flame-resistant clothing, safety goggles, respirators, heavy-duty gloves, and hard hats. Note: If a specific risk requires it, PPE should be provided to employees and crew at no charge.
- What Counts as Hazardous? Be aware of items that require specialized handling, permission, or professional oversight. Hazardous items include:
- Any substance hazardous to health.
- Any substance or equipment capable of causing an explosion or fire.
- Radioactive substances.
- Bacteria, viruses, or other infectious materials.
- Prescription-only drugs.
- High-risk tech or specialized gear like lasers.
- Compressed gases.
Mastering Location Scouting & Permissions
Taking your story out into the real world? Location filmmaking requires rigorous homework before the camera rolls:
- The Scouting Review: You must physically review your location prior to the shoot day to check for any logistical hurdles or hidden health and safety vulnerabilities.
- Securing Legal Clearances: You must gain all appropriate legal permissions for shooting. This means obtaining explicit consent from property owners, the local council, and the Police.
- CFS Special Assessment Triggers: Central Film School requires direct and indirect risk assessments for shoots involving any of the following elements:
- Children (underage cast or background actors).
- Extreme hot or cold temperatures.
- Private residences.
- Official On-Campus Productions.
- Individuals outside of the Central Film School community.
- Sexual content or intimate scenes.
- Open fire or pyrotechnics.
The Night Shoot Checklist
Night shoots bring incredible atmosphere to your footage, but they also introduce unique hazards. When shooting at night, always seek advice from your Module Leaders and course team, and ensure you tick off the following:
- Set and Offset Lighting: Provide ample extra light both on and off-set. You need dedicated illumination for areas beyond the camera frame, as well as any dark zones where crew members need to step carefully.
- Crew Welfare: Night shoots take a heavy toll on the body. Budget for extra crew needs, including supplemental heating, scheduled resting time, substantial food, warm clothing, and hot drinks.
- Transit Options: If your shoot wraps in the middle of the night when public transport is limited or unavailable, you must make ample travel provisions to ensure your cast and crew get home safely (such as booking a cab or taxi).
- Fighting Fatigue: When working through the night, individuals are highly prone to exhaustion. Tiredness is a leading cause of film set accidents. Your risk assessment must explicitly outline provisions to manage and mitigate crew fatigue.
Stay safe, look out for your crew, and have a fantastic shoot! For further templates or to submit your risk assessments, please contact the Resources Team.
