28 March 2024 The Irish Film & Television Network
     
Health and Safety Guidelines Now Available
16 Aug 2002 :
After several years of discussion, research, investigation and hard work the ‘Irish Film and Television - Health and Safety Guidelines’ were finally published by Film Makers Ireland on behalf of 'The Irish Film and TV Health and Safety Committee'. The committee are confident that the publication of these guidelines will be a major contribution to production safety. The safety guidance notes are the first attempt to set out the practices in writing and to provide a handy set of reference material for industry usage. Irish Actors Equity, SIPTU, BATU, Film Makers Ireland, Screen Training Ireland and representatives of the Insurance Industry assisted in the development of these notes and are pleased to endorse their use in the industry. Ask your Union (Cast and Crew) or FMI (Producers) for your free personal copy.

The experience of other countries, which have similar codes in place, has been very positive and the code is seen as a major factor in reducing risk to the participants and observers of our industry. The habit of thinking safety first, combined with the world-class skills of our cast, crews, stunt, SFX and safety personnel, will ensure safe working methods being developed and become standard industry practice.

What good is a book, of any description, if no one reads it? Beside from being an interesting read for all, this book is aimed at both ordinary crewmembers and all Heads of Departments (HOD’s) and production management. It was designed specifically to be easy to read, easy to reference and simple in language. The Committee felt that many of the other references published by studios and broadcasters were legalistic in how the subject was approached. The procedures outlined were not intuitive and were written in a style that was better suited to management concerns rather than protecting the individuals. Perhaps that is a little unfair, but my point is that the perception of the average crewmember is one of imposition or irrelevance for most of the procedures and advice offered by these other publications. From an early stage we decided that we needed to ‘reach the people’ with this book, as ‘buy-in’ at all levels was essential to it’s success.

With this in mind we published a book that is a handy pocket size (A5 size), is indexed and tabbed by department i.e. For SFX see the contents pages or use the handy colour coded SFX tab. Each section contains specific information for that department and will draw attention to any other department or section’s related activities (if any). It will also further break down information to specific activities within that that department. A typical example of this is found under Stunt Department -- Falls from Moving Vehicles (you are advised to read also ‘Filming on Roads p38’) and are prompted with a bullet pointed list of specific safety guidelines. However, an important point needs to be made, these notes are recommendations reflecting current recognised safe practices but there may be better ways of working in some circumstances. These notes do not have the status of enacted laws or regulations, but where the notes refer to laws and regulations, those laws and regulations must be observed without exception.

Ireland, like its European Union partners, has strict laws in relation to Health and Safety. These notes are an important step in complying with these laws, in so far as they help define safe procedures and practices. Adhering to the guidelines however does not imply compliance with the laws, but offers a framework and reference to assist with compliance. It should be remembered that EVERY 'Head of Department' and contractor is required to supply to every production they work on their Safety Statement and Risk Assessments/Hazard identification documentation. Furthermore every production needs to supply their own Safety Statement and Risk Assessments/Hazard identification documentation to their employees and contractors -- that is the Law in Ireland and across all of the European Union (including Northern Ireland- where the 'Health and Safety Laws' are essentially the same but with different titles). In addition to these guidelines there is also a document available from Film Makers Ireland called ‘Health and Safety in Film and Television Productions - what you need to do’ to assist Producers with their responsibilities.

It would not have been possible for me to research, write and compile these guidelines without the support and assistance of Mary Alleguen, who acted as editor and provided ‘quality-control’ and valuable advice throughout the process. The guidelines never would have been published with out the drive of Tania Banotti and the moral and financial support of FMI, Philip O’Dwyer (Network Insurances Ltd.), Joe Condren (Stunt Masters Ltd.), Paddy Keenan (for SIPTU) and Finn Lawless and Hughie Doyle (BATU). My thanks also go to those others who participated in the committee at various stages throughout the process, Catherine Ryan (Allianz Ireland), Martin O’Malley (Line Producer-1st AD), Morgan O’Sullivan (Executive Producer), Brendan Byrne (Team FX), Finn Lawless (Electrical Union), Seamus Collins (1st AD), Russ Bailey (Construction), Mary Lyons (Screen Training Ireland) and James Hickey (Solicitor). Special thanks are also due to Health and Safety experts, Harry Muir (Head of Drama Safety BBC) and David King-Taylor and to Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance of Australia who provided us with the framework document upon which these Guidelines are based.

Remember, safety is your legal and moral responsibility.

Patrick Condren.
Hon. Chairman, 'Irish Film and TV Health and Safety Committee'.



Free Industry Newsletter
Subscribe to IFTN's industry newsletter - it's free and e-mailed directly to your inbox every week.
Click here to sign up.






 
 the Website  Directory List  Festivals  Who's Who  Locations  Filmography  News  Crew  Actors
 

Contact Us | Advertise | Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Security & Privacy | RSS Feed | Twitter

 

 

 
canli bahis siteleri rulet siteleri deneme bonusu veren siteler bahis siteleri free spin veren siteler deneme bonusu veren yeni siteler yeni casino siteleri yeni bahis siteleri betwoon grandpashabet