Altameroy Blog

The Film Artistes Association, a part of the media and entertainment union Bectu, has recently decided to raise the issue of the safety of people who work on location and provide essential service and support to production units.

It is a fact that most of the time, background artistes like make-up men and hairdressers work in potentially dangerous conditions. Paul Kirby, the Chief of FAA, explains that on-location facilities like toilet and wardrobe are set on lorries and caravans and there are steps provided to access these vehicles. However, the steps do not have handrails, and serious accidents occur while climbing up.

The absence of handrails in such temporary structures may seem insignificant, but it always remains a potential risk for the staff. There have been many accidents, one of which occurred recently when a female staff suffered a hip and arm fracture along with facial injuries. The staff slipped on wet and muddy stairs and since there was no supporting handrail, she fell from a height. The injuries were so serious that she is yet to resume her work.

The FAA now seems to insist on ensuring that employers take adequate safety measures in this regard. Further, employees are also being encouraged to demand these measures and to report cases of non-compliance of safety regulations.

Health and safety law places duties on organisations and employers with the responsibility for health and safety. The IOSH course from Workplace Law Training is designed to give managers and supervisors all they need to know to help their organisation find the best ways to lead and promote health and safety, and therefore meet its legal obligations.