Top 3 Safety Tips on Film Sets
- by Leaf Life Learning, LLC
- Dec 17, 2016
- 3 min read
Working in the entertainment business, people usually forget about the business part. Working next to celebrities and talented crew members, one can easily get caught up in this fantasy world. However, we must remember that while working on set we are creating a fantasy or reenactment. The truth of the matter is that we are all still in the real world. Gravity does exist, fire does burn, and people can get injured or worst. So before you start your next production or sign on to work on the next gig, know the 3 top things you should look for in Safety while working on set.
1.Emergency Exit Plan
So you’re working on a union or non-union set. You are emailed your call sheet. One the call sheet you see you call time, the location address, the weather, and nearest hospital listed, and of course a map how to get to the location. But that is it….. Is there something missing? Yes, not only should you receive a map of how to get to set, but an emergency exit plan on how to exit the building or location if something goes wrong. If a fire starts is there enough exits for everyone to leave the building safely in 2 minutes. If you have no idea that’s not good. But if you ask your 1st AD, UPM, or Locations Manager and they never thought about an emergency exit plan, that is the biggest clue you are on an unsafe set. This lets you know that during pre-production your department heads didn’t think everything through, and if that is the case what else did “this smart bunch” not think of. It is required by OSHA your crew are trained and aware of the exit plan.
2.Initial Training
It’s your first day as a Production Assistant(PA) or its for 50th gig as a PA. It doesn’t matter! If you never worked with that production company before and have it documented that they have trained you in any form, or let you watch a 15 min safety video or something before you start working, they are in trouble, and can be in DANGER. And your training should not be given to you by another PA, unless that PA have been specially trained by the 1st AD or department head on how to give the training, and document it after completion, which is usually a document signed by you stating have been trained and know the safety rules.
Beware of productions that just give you your new hire pocket and just have you sign everything and put you to work without going over it with you. Production Company’s will have a paragraph stating you have read all the safety rules and agree to them. So if you get hurt they will show OSHA and the Insurance company the you were trained and you signed off on it. Throwing you under the BUS. Your OSHA 10 card, forklift certifications, or PA workshop completion certificate cannot replace the production initial training or evaluation of your work skills.
3. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
The production company is REQUIRED by law to provide you with PPE if it required to be used to do your job safely. As a PA, your first job is usually keeping things clean. Picking up all the cigarette butts the crew members through on the ground at a location. Or keep the honey wagon clean. The production company is required to provide you with latex glove before cleaning anything that can be bio hazardous. If you are allergic to latex they need to provide with an alternative glove. Yes clean up but be safe while doing. But if the production does not have gloves or other PPE needed for you to do the job safety, again what else have they not thought about.
Production don’t have to provided PPE if you take the PPE home. For example, work boots and safety shoes. You are responsible for being prepared to work. If you want to get a great PA starter kit go to
In Conclusion, when working on set for long hours, crew members become family. And family watch out for each other. If you see a crew member doing something dangerous inform someone using the change of command on that set. If you are uncomfortable about something not being safe speak up. If that production has a problem with that, call the anonymous safety hotline with your local union. If its non-union inform the producers or 1st AD to call Leaf Life for more training or a set safety audit. As Georgia grows let’s continue to grow, by always being safe and putting People First.
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