Health and Safety in Audio Visual Production.

Step 1 - Looking for hazards


Don't get bogged down with trivial hazards; concentrate on those posing a significant risk of injury or harm.

Step 2 - Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How

Think about who may be affected and those who are particuarly at risk.


Step 3 - Evaluate the Risk


Consider the chance and severity of harm that each hazard may cause, taking existing control measures into account.

• avoid the risk completely; but if this is not possible
• reduce the risk to acceptable levels;
• provide training and instruction, and personal protective equipment if the risks cannot be controlled in any other way;
• reduce risk at source by developing safe systems of working, giving collective measure priority.

Step 4 - Record the Significant Findings


The siginificant findings of the risk assessment should be recorded and communicated to those people who may be affected. In practice, this means ensuring that the production team and any contractors are informed of the significant hazards, the likely risks and the required control measures. Keep a record for future reference, it will help to demonstrate compliance with legal duties. The legal requirement to record findings applies if five or more people are employed but smaller companies are recommended to record details in order to show that they have carried out risk assessment.


Step 5 - Review and Revise Your Risk Asssessment


New hazards can be introduced if there is any significant change in the activity, equipment, substances or procedures. Risk assessments should be revised following any significant change or when they become out of date. If there have been no changes, the assessment should be reviewed at least once every three years to ensure that the precautions are still working effectively.