In the prevention of illness and injury, everyone in the workplace is required to work cooperatively to identify and control health & safety hazards. All production employees have the personal responsibility to protect their own health & safety and that of their fellow cast and crew members.
The Director, Producers and the Unit Production Manager all have direct responsibilities for achieving a safe production. Heads of Department (HODs) and supervisors also have specific supervisory health & safety responsibilities. They may delegate safety-related tasks to other positions, however, they retain the ultimate responsibility. Specific health & safety responsibilities within the production are as follows:
Producer (Safety Program Director)
Is the Safety Program Director and has overall control and responsibility for the health & safety and security of the production as a whole. The Producer also supports the Unit Production Manager in the day-to-day administration and implementation of the health & safety policy.
Director
Supports the Producer and UPM in the administration and implementation of the health & safety policy and supports the 1st Assistant Director in maintaining a safe set.
Unit Production Manager / Production Manager / Production Supervisor (UPM)
Assists the Producer and is responsible for the day-to-day administration and implementation of the health & safety policy and to ensure that the 1st Assistant Director and all HODs meet their health & safety responsibilities. The UPM is generally the main point of contact for the Production Safety & Security Specialist(s).
1st Assistant Director (On-Set Safety Coordinator)
Is the On-Set Safety Coordinator for the production crew during work on an active set (filming, taping, recording, rehearsal, etc.), is responsible for set safety and is the safety liaison between the crew and the Producer. The 1st AD is responsible for conveying current health & safety requirements to all cast and crew, providing guidance for meeting health & safety policy goals and for ensuring that HODs meet their health & safety responsibilities.
2nd Assistant Director
Supports the 1st AD in fulfilling the requirements as set forth in the health & safety policy and maintains documentation of safety meetings, crew notices, incident reports and accurate production reports.
Production Office Coordinator (POC)
Maintains a file of safety information including copies of all health & safety records and documentation. In addition, the POC forwards all relevant documentation to the Production Safety & Security Specialist(s) and / or posts this information to Prodicle.
Heads of Department (HODs) and Supervisors
Are each responsible for the health & safety of all employees under his or her direct supervision. They are responsible for ensuring their crews are made aware of all known or reasonably foreseeable health or safety hazards in the area where they work and that their crews conduct work in compliance with all applicable health & safety rules and regulations. HODs / Supervisors are responsible for the enforcement of safe work practices and the administration of disciplinary measures for employees who engage in unsafe work practices.
Location Manager
Is responsible for identifying and assessing hazards and risks at proposed locations and effectively communicating this information to the UPM, 1st AD, HODs, Health & Safety Advisor and the Production Safety & Security Specialist(s).
Supervising Medic / First Aid Coordinator / Nurse / Paramedic (Medic)
Provides first aid and medical services on set and is responsible for responding to all on-set emergencies and accidents and determining the need for off-site medical services (ambulance, hospital, etc.). The Medic also maintains a log of incidents and accidents, sends copies of the reports to the POC and UPM and advises the Producer, UPM and 1st AD of any health & safety concerns.
Crew and Cast Members
Are responsible for cooperating with the production on all health, safety & security matters, taking reasonable care for their own health & safety and that of others who may be affected, participating in any required training, correctly using work equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), and reporting any unsafe condition to their immediate supervisor.
Health & Safety Advisor (HSA)
Where required by regulation, contract, local production custom or when recommended, the HSA acts as a competent source of safety advice to the production. The HSA typically assists the production with risk assessment, monitors production activities, interprets local health & safety requirements, investigates incidents and near misses, provides safety training and supports the production in interaction with regulatory authorities.
Production Executive
Supports Production Management (Producer, Director, UPM, 1st AD, etc.), Health & Safety Advisor and the Production Safety & Security Specialist(s) in their efforts to provide a safe & secure workplace.
Production Safety Specialist
Supports the production in a consulting role by identifying and resolving potential health & safety and environmental issues and assist the production in maintaining compliance with its health & safety policy.
Production Security Specialist
Supports the production in a consulting role by identifying and resolving potential security issues and assists the production on all potential security matters.