Film & Television Production Safety Manual

OSHA and Film & Television Production

Federal OSHA does not maintain a single comprehensive standard specifically titled for film or television production.

Instead, production companies must comply with OSHA requirements applicable to the hazards and activities their employees perform.

Depending on the production, applicable requirements may involve:

• Electrical safety.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Hazard Communication.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Fall Protection.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Powered Industrial Trucks.
• Aerial lifts.
• Scaffolds.
• Ladders.
• Machine Guarding.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Welding and Hot Work.
• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Emergency Action Plans.
• Fire Prevention.
• Construction activities.

State and local occupational safety, fire, building, electrical, environmental, transportation, permitting, and other requirements may also apply.

Industry Safety Guidelines

The motion picture and television industry has developed extensive safety guidance addressing hazards unique to production work.

Industry safety bulletins and guidelines may address activities such as:

• Firearms.
• Helicopters.
• Stunts.
• SCUBA.
• Camera vehicles.
• Smoke and fog.
• Aircraft.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Boating.
• Water hazards.
• Open flames.
• Motorcycles.
• Aerial lifts.
• Electrical systems.
• Camera cranes.
• Exterior locations.
• Railroads.
• Hot-air balloons.
• Extreme temperatures.
• Severe weather.
• Specialized production equipment.

Industry guidelines should be incorporated where appropriate but should not be treated as substitutes for applicable federal, state, or local requirements.

What Should a Film & Television Production Safety Manual Include?

Depending on operations, the manual may address:

• Production safety management.
• Production responsibilities.
• Injury and Illness Prevention.
• Production risk assessments.
• Job Safety Analysis.
• General safe work practices.
• Pre-production safety planning.
• Production safety meetings.
• Location safety.
• Studio and sound-stage safety.
• Set construction.
• Grip and rigging.
• Production electrical systems.
• Lighting equipment.
• Generators.
• Ladders.
• Scaffolds.
• Aerial lifts.
• Fall Protection.
• Camera equipment.
• Camera cranes.
• Vehicles and transportation.
• Special effects.
• Stunts.
• Firearms.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Animals.
• Water operations.
• Aircraft.
• Environmental conditions.
• Emergency procedures.

Programs should be included according to the activities, locations, equipment, and hazards involved in the production.

Production Safety Program

An effective Production Safety Program establishes responsibilities and procedures for identifying, evaluating, communicating, and controlling hazards throughout pre-production, production, and wrap.

Management should provide:

• Appropriate safety resources.
• Qualified personnel.
• Safe equipment.
• Employee training.
• Hazard assessments.
• Required PPE.
• Emergency planning.
• Appropriate supervision.
• Corrective-action procedures.

Safety should be integrated into production planning rather than addressed only after filming begins.

Production Safety Responsibilities

Production safety requires cooperation among:

• Producers.
• Production executives.
• Unit Production Managers.
• Assistant Directors.
• Department Heads.
• Construction Coordinators.
• Location Managers.
• Transportation Coordinators.
• Stunt Coordinators.
• Special Effects Coordinators.
• Key Grips.
• Gaffers.
• Medics.
• Supervisors.
• Cast.
• Crew.
• Contractors and vendors.

Responsibilities should be clearly assigned before work begins.

Producers and Production Management

Producers and production management should provide sufficient resources, planning, personnel, equipment, and time to conduct production activities safely.

Responsibilities may include:

• Establishing the Production Safety Program.
• Assigning safety responsibilities.
• Reviewing significant production hazards.
• Coordinating department safety.
• Providing required training.
• Correcting unsafe conditions.
• Supporting Stop-Work Authority.
• Ensuring incidents are reported and investigated.

Production schedules should not override necessary safety precautions.

Unit Production Manager

The Unit Production Manager may play an important role in coordinating safety among production departments.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting production safety procedures.
• Coordinating safety resources.
• Addressing production-wide hazards.
• Communicating with department heads.
• Supporting emergency planning.
• Coordinating corrective actions.

Assistant Directors

Assistant Directors frequently play a central role in communicating production conditions to cast and crew.

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting or coordinating safety meetings.
• Communicating scene hazards.
• Maintaining awareness of cast and crew activity.
• Coordinating with stunt and special-effects personnel.
• Communicating changing conditions.
• Supporting emergency procedures.

Department Heads

Department Heads should identify and control hazards within their areas of responsibility.

Departments may include:

• Camera.
• Grip.
• Electrical.
• Art.
• Construction.
• Props.
• Special Effects.
• Stunts.
• Transportation.
• Locations.
• Wardrobe.
• Hair and Makeup.
• Sound.
• Production.

Department-specific procedures should be coordinated with the overall Production Safety Program.

Cast and Crew Responsibilities

Cast and crew members should:

• Follow established safety procedures.
• Attend required safety meetings.
• Use required PPE.
• Follow instructions from qualified personnel.
• Report unsafe conditions.
• Report injuries and incidents.
• Avoid performing tasks for which they are not qualified.
• Stop and seek clarification when conditions are unsafe or unclear.

Employees should understand how to report a safety concern without delaying communication through unnecessary channels.

Stop-Work Authority

Cast and crew should be encouraged to immediately raise concerns when they believe an activity presents an imminent or unacceptable safety risk.

Production management should evaluate the condition before work resumes.

Schedule, cost, daylight, location availability, or other production pressures should not override required safety controls.

Pre-Production Safety Planning

Production safety should begin during pre-production.

Planning should consider:

• Scripted activities.
• Locations.
• Set construction.
• Stunts.
• Special effects.
• Firearms.
• Vehicles.
• Aircraft.
• Water.
• Animals.
• Rigging.
• Electrical systems.
• Weather.
• Remote locations.
• Emergency access.

Higher-risk activities should receive additional evaluation before filming begins.

Script Review

A safety review of the script can help identify hazards before production resources are committed.

The review may identify scenes involving:

• Stunts.
• Firearms.
• Explosions.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Fire.
• Vehicle action.
• Aircraft.
• Trains.
• Water.
• Animals.
• Heights.
• Rigging.
• Extreme environments.

Early identification allows qualified departments and specialists to participate in planning.

Production Risk Assessment

A Production Risk Assessment provides a systematic review of activities and locations that could expose cast or crew to injury or illness.

The assessment may consider:

• Severity.
• Likelihood.
• Employees exposed.
• Existing controls.
• Additional controls.
• Responsible departments.
• Residual risk.

Risk assessments should be updated when meaningful changes alter the hazards.

Scene-Specific Risk Assessment

Higher-risk scenes may require a more detailed assessment.

Examples include scenes involving:

• Major stunts.
• Firearms.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Explosives.
• Aircraft.
• Trains.
• Process trailers.
• Off-road vehicles.
• Open-water operations.
• Underwater work.
• Significant rigging.
• Extreme locations.

The assessment should identify specific controls and responsibilities before the activity begins.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)

A JSA/JHA may be appropriate for production tasks involving significant occupational hazards.

Potential JSAs may address:

• Set construction.
• Rigging.
• Lighting installation.
• Aerial lifts.
• Scaffolding.
• Generator setup.
• Camera cranes.
• Vehicle-mounted cameras.
• Hot Work.
• Material handling.
• Equipment loading and unloading.

The analysis should identify job steps, hazards, controls, PPE, and employee responsibilities.

Production Safety Meetings

Safety meetings should be conducted as appropriate before work begins and when significant conditions change.

Topics may include:

• Scene hazards.
• Location hazards.
• Stunts.
• Special effects.
• Vehicles.
• Firearms.
• Weather.
• Emergency procedures.
• Restricted areas.
• PPE.
• Department coordination.

Cast and crew should have an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns.

Daily Safety Briefing

Productions may use daily safety briefings to communicate hazards associated with the day’s work.

The briefing may address:

• Shooting location.
• Scene activities.
• Weather.
• Equipment.
• Traffic.
• Special effects.
• Stunts.
• Emergency information.

Additional meetings should be conducted before specialized high-risk activities.

Call Sheet Safety Information

Relevant safety information may be communicated through call sheets or accompanying materials.

Information may include:

• Weather conditions.
• Special hazards.
• Required PPE.
• Safety bulletins.
• Emergency information.
• Location-specific precautions.

Call-sheet information supplements rather than replaces required training and direct communication.

Location Safety

Every filming location should be evaluated for hazards before work begins.

Potential hazards include:

• Traffic.
• Electrical systems.
• Uneven terrain.
• Falls.
• Water.
• Wildlife.
• Weather.
• Public interaction.
• Restricted access.
• Emergency response limitations.
• Existing hazardous materials.

Location conditions should be reassessed when circumstances change.

Location Scouting

Safety considerations should be incorporated into location scouting.

The location team should consider:

• Access.
• Emergency vehicle access.
• Parking.
• Crew movement.
• Electrical power.
• Terrain.
• Structures.
• Fire protection.
• Sanitation.
• Nearby hazards.
• Public exposure.

Significant hazards should be communicated to affected departments.

Technical Scout

Technical scouts provide an opportunity for department heads and specialists to evaluate the location before production.

Safety considerations may include:

• Rigging.
• Lighting.
• Power distribution.
• Camera placement.
• Vehicle movement.
• Set construction.
• Special effects.
• Stunts.
• Emergency access.

Identified controls should be incorporated into production planning.

Studio and Sound-Stage Safety

Studio facilities can contain hazards involving:

• Temporary electrical systems.
• Overhead grids.
• Rigging.
• Lighting.
• Elevated work.
• Set construction.
• Fire protection.
• Vehicles.
• Equipment movement.

Stage rules should be communicated to affected personnel.

Set Construction

Film and television sets may involve substantial construction activities.

Potential hazards include:

• Saws.
• Power tools.
• Scaffolds.
• Ladders.
• Aerial lifts.
• Material handling.
• Fall hazards.
• Electrical systems.
• Welding.
• Painting.
• Chemicals.

Applicable construction and general-industry requirements should be evaluated according to the work performed.

Construction Shop Safety

Production construction shops may contain:

• Table saws.
• Miter saws.
• Band saws.
• Sanders.
• Drills.
• Pneumatic tools.
• Welding equipment.

Machines should be guarded and employees trained for assigned equipment.

Hand & Power Tools

Tools should be:

• Appropriate for the task.
• Inspected.
• Maintained.
• Used according to safe procedures.

Damaged tools should be removed from service.

Machine Guarding

Production shops may contain machinery requiring guards at:

• Blades.
• Belts.
• Pulleys.
• Gears.
• Rotating components.
• Nip points.

Required guards should not be removed or bypassed.

Lockout/Tagout

Employees servicing equipment where unexpected startup or release of hazardous energy could cause injury should follow applicable hazardous-energy-control procedures.

Potential equipment may include:

• Shop machinery.
• Mechanical effects equipment.
• Motors.
• Pumps.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Pneumatic equipment.

Normal stop controls are not substitutes for required energy isolation.

Grip and Rigging Safety

Grip and rigging operations can involve:

• Overhead loads.
• Truss.
• Pipe.
• Stands.
• Platforms.
• Camera supports.
• Lifting equipment.
• Temporary structures.

Rigging should be performed by qualified personnel using equipment suitable for the intended load.

Overhead Rigging

Overhead equipment should be:

• Properly supported.
• Appropriately secured.
• Inspected.
• Protected against unintended movement.

Personnel should remain clear of suspended loads and uncontrolled fall zones.

Production Lighting

Lighting equipment can create hazards involving:

• Electricity.
• Heat.
• Weight.
• Elevated work.
• Cables.
• Stands.
• Fire.
• Manual handling.

Fixtures, stands, cables, and accessories should be maintained and properly secured.

Production Electrical Safety

Film and television productions frequently use temporary power-distribution systems.

Electrical safety procedures should address:

• Generators.
• Distribution boxes.
• Feeder cables.
• Portable equipment.
• Grounding.
• Wet locations.
• Overcurrent protection.
• Cable routing.
• Qualified personnel.

Only authorized and qualified employees should perform electrical work requiring specialized knowledge.

Portable Power Distribution

Portable electrical systems should be installed and operated according to applicable electrical requirements.

Equipment should be protected from:

• Vehicle traffic.
• Water.
• Physical damage.
• Improper connections.
• Overloading.

Damaged electrical equipment should be removed from service.

Electrical Cables

Cables should be routed to reduce:

• Trip hazards.
• Crushing.
• Cutting.
• Vehicle damage.
• Water exposure.

Cable ramps or other protection should be used where appropriate.

Generators

Portable generators should be located and operated to control:

• Carbon monoxide.
• Fuel.
• Fire.
• Noise.
• Electrical hazards.
• Exhaust.

Generators should not be operated where exhaust can accumulate in occupied areas.

Carbon Monoxide

Fuel-powered generators, vehicles, heaters, and other combustion equipment can produce carbon monoxide.

Controls may include:

• Equipment placement.
• Ventilation.
• Monitoring.
• Restricting indoor use.

Employees should recognize symptoms of possible exposure.

Ladders

Production employees may use ladders for:

• Lighting.
• Rigging.
• Set construction.
• Decoration.
• Camera work.

Ladders should be inspected and appropriate for the task.

Employees should maintain safe climbing practices.

Scaffolding

Scaffolds may be used for:

• Set construction.
• Lighting.
• Rigging.
• Camera positions.

Scaffolds should be erected, inspected, and used according to applicable requirements.

Aerial Lifts

Boom lifts and scissor lifts are frequently used for lighting, rigging, construction, and camera operations.

Only trained and authorized employees should operate lifts.

Operations should consider:

• Surface conditions.
• Overhead hazards.
• Power lines.
• Fall protection.
• Equipment capacity.
• Other traffic.

Fall Protection

Productions may expose employees to falls from:

• Sets.
• Platforms.
• Roofs.
• Scaffolds.
• Lifts.
• Grids.
• Rigging positions.
• Natural terrain.

Appropriate fall-protection systems should be selected according to the activity and applicable requirements.

Camera Department Safety

Camera operations may expose employees to hazards involving:

• Heavy equipment.
• Cables.
• Dollies.
• Cranes.
• Elevated positions.
• Vehicles.
• Remote heads.
• Specialty rigs.

Camera setups should be coordinated with grip, electrical, stunt, transportation, and other affected departments.

Camera Cranes

Camera cranes can create:

• Swing-radius hazards.
• Overhead loads.
• Pinch points.
• Stability concerns.
• Power-line hazards.

Only qualified personnel should operate and rig camera cranes.

Crew and bystanders should remain outside hazardous operating areas.

Gimbals and Specialized Camera Systems

Gimbals and other moving camera platforms may create hazards involving:

• Unexpected movement.
• Pinch points.
• Rigging.
• Electrical systems.
• Personnel positioning.

Operation should follow equipment-specific procedures.

Vehicles and Transportation

Production transportation may include:

• Passenger vans.
• Trucks.
• Equipment vehicles.
• Trailers.
• Picture vehicles.
• Camera vehicles.
• Utility vehicles.

Drivers should be qualified for assigned vehicles.

Vehicles should be inspected and safely loaded.

Driver Safety

Drivers should:

• Wear seat belts.
• Avoid distracted driving.
• Follow traffic laws.
• Account for weather and road conditions.
• Avoid driving when impaired by fatigue.

Production scheduling should consider transportation safety.

Fatigue

Long production days, night shoots, changing schedules, and travel can contribute to fatigue.

Fatigue can impair:

• Judgment.
• Reaction time.
• Coordination.
• Driving.
• Hazard recognition.

Production planning should consider work duration, turnaround, transportation, and high-risk activities.

Picture Vehicles

Vehicles appearing on camera may require additional planning when operated:

• At unusual speeds.
• Off road.
• Near performers.
• During stunt sequences.
• With modified equipment.

Qualified personnel should coordinate vehicle action.

Process Trailers and Camera Vehicles

Vehicle-mounted filming may involve camera cars, insert cars, process trailers, or similar systems.

Procedures should address:

• Vehicle configuration.
• Rigging.
• Occupant protection.
• Communication.
• Traffic.
• Route conditions.
• Speed.

High-risk vehicle filming should be specifically planned.

Traffic Control

Productions filming on or near roadways should coordinate required traffic controls with appropriate authorities.

Controls may include:

• Permits.
• Lane closures.
• Signs.
• Barriers.
• Qualified traffic-control personnel.
• Police support.

Crew members should not assume ordinary production visibility makes them visible to motorists.

Motorcycles

Scenes involving motorcycles should be evaluated for:

• Rider qualification.
• PPE.
• Road conditions.
• Speed.
• Traffic.
• Stunts.
• Camera interaction.

Specialized action should be coordinated by qualified personnel.

Railroads

Filming on or near railroad property requires coordination with the railroad or responsible authority.

Hazards include:

• Train movement.
• Limited stopping distance.
• Tracks.
• Electrical systems.
• Equipment movement.

Employees should not enter active railroad areas without authorization and appropriate controls.

Special Effects

Special effects may involve:

• Fire.
• Explosions.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Smoke.
• Fog.
• Breakaway materials.
• Mechanical effects.
• Pressurized systems.
• Chemicals.

Effects should be designed and performed by appropriately qualified personnel.

Special Effects Planning

Before an effect is performed, affected cast and crew should understand:

• The nature of the effect.
• Restricted areas.
• Protective measures.
• Signals.
• Emergency procedures.

Testing should be performed where appropriate.

Pyrotechnics and Explosives

Pyrotechnic effects require specialized knowledge, licensing or permits where applicable, and close coordination with fire authorities.

Procedures should address:

• Storage.
• Handling.
• Placement.
• Firing systems.
• Exclusion zones.
• Fire protection.
• Misfires.
• Emergency response.

Only authorized personnel should handle pyrotechnic materials.

Open Flame

Open-flame effects should be evaluated for:

• Combustible sets.
• Wardrobe.
• Hair.
• Props.
• Fire suppression.
• Ventilation.
• Performer exposure.

Appropriate fire-safety personnel and equipment should be provided as required.

Smoke and Fog Effects

Atmospheric effects may expose cast and crew to airborne substances.

Productions should evaluate:

• Product composition.
• Concentration.
• Ventilation.
• Exposure duration.
• Sensitive individuals.

Only products and methods appropriate for the intended use should be selected.

Fire Prevention

Fire hazards can arise from:

• Lighting.
• Electrical systems.
• Sets.
• Drapes.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Open flames.
• Fuel.
• Vehicles.
• Hot Work.

Fire prevention should be incorporated into both stage and location planning.

Fire Protection Equipment

Required extinguishers and other fire-protection equipment should remain:

• Accessible.
• Inspected.
• Appropriate to the hazard.
• Unobstructed.

Employees expected to use extinguishers should receive appropriate instruction.

Hot Work

Welding, cutting, brazing, and grinding may occur during construction, rigging, effects, or maintenance.

Hot Work procedures should address:

• Combustible materials.
• Fire watch.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Ventilation.
• Gas cylinders.
• Permits where required.

Firearms and Weapons

Firearms used in production require specialized controls.

Productions should establish procedures addressing:

• Qualified personnel.
• Firearm control.
• Ammunition.
• Inspection.
• Storage.
• Distribution.
• Rehearsal.
• Cast and crew notification.
• Restricted areas.

Applicable laws and current industry requirements should always be followed.

Live Ammunition

Live ammunition should not be brought onto a production merely because a scene involves firearms.

Firearm procedures should comply with applicable law and current production-industry safety requirements.

Unauthorized ammunition should be prohibited.

Firearm Safety Meetings

Before scenes involving firearms, affected personnel should receive a safety briefing appropriate to the activity.

The briefing should address:

• Firearm type.
• Planned action.
• Safe positioning.
• Required protection.
• Communication.
• Emergency procedures.

Prop Weapons

Props such as:

• Knives.
• Swords.
• Spears.
• Axes.
• Other edged or piercing objects

should be selected, handled, stored, and used to protect performers and crew.

Action involving weapons should be appropriately choreographed and rehearsed.

Stunt Safety

Stunts should be planned and coordinated by appropriately qualified personnel.

Stunt activities may involve:

• Falls.
• Fights.
• Vehicles.
• Fire.
• Water.
• Heights.
• Rigging.
• Weapons.
• Animals.

The level of planning should reflect the potential severity of the stunt.

Stunt Planning

Planning should consider:

• Performer qualification.
• Equipment.
• Rehearsal.
• Set conditions.
• Emergency response.
• Medical support.
• Camera placement.
• Crew exclusion zones.

Changes should be communicated before the stunt proceeds.

Stunt Rehearsals

Stunts should be rehearsed as appropriate under controlled conditions.

Cast and crew should not make unauthorized changes to planned stunt action.

Animals

Productions using animals should evaluate hazards involving:

• Animal behavior.
• Handler control.
• Allergies.
• Bites.
• Kicks.
• Environmental conditions.
• Public exposure.

Qualified handlers should control animals as appropriate.

Exotic and Venomous Animals

Productions involving exotic, venomous, or otherwise dangerous animals require specialized controls.

Planning should address:

• Containment.
• Qualified handlers.
• Restricted areas.
• Emergency procedures.
• Medical response.

Water Hazards

Filming around:

• Oceans.
• Rivers.
• Lakes.
• Pools.
• Tanks.
• Boats.
• Docks

can create drowning, current, temperature, access, and rescue hazards.

Appropriate water-safety and rescue resources should be established.

Boating Safety

Boat operations should consider:

• Qualified operators.
• Personal flotation devices.
• Capacity.
• Weather.
• Water conditions.
• Communication.
• Emergency equipment.

Equipment should be appropriate to the waterway and activity.

Underwater Filming

Underwater work should be evaluated according to the nature of the activity.

Commercial diving requirements may apply where employees perform covered underwater work.

Productions should not assume recreational diving practices are sufficient for occupational diving activities.

Aircraft

Productions may use:

• Helicopters.
• Fixed-wing aircraft.
• Drones.
• Specialty aerial platforms.

Aircraft operations should be coordinated by qualified aviation personnel and comply with applicable aviation requirements.

Helicopters

Helicopter filming can expose personnel to:

• Rotor hazards.
• Downwash.
• Noise.
• Foreign-object debris.
• Landing-zone hazards.
• External loads.

Only necessary personnel should enter controlled aircraft operating areas.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Filming involving fixed-wing aircraft should address:

• Airport coordination.
• Propellers.
• Jet blast.
• Aircraft movement.
• Communication.
• Restricted areas.

Personnel should follow instructions from qualified aviation personnel.

Drones / Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Drone operations should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel and comply with applicable aviation requirements.

Planning should consider:

• Flight path.
• People below.
• Property.
• Other aircraft.
• Weather.
• Emergency landing.

Parachuting and Skydiving

Productions involving parachuting or skydiving should use appropriately qualified personnel.

Planning should consider:

• Aircraft.
• Weather.
• Landing zones.
• Communication.
• Performer qualifications.
• Emergency response.

Hot-Air Balloons

Hot-air balloon operations should be coordinated by qualified aviation personnel.

Hazards may include:

• Weather.
• Flame.
• Fuel.
• Landing.
• Ground handling.
• Power lines.

Remote Locations

Remote filming can increase hazards because emergency assistance may be delayed.

Planning should consider:

• Communication.
• Transportation.
• First aid.
• Medical evacuation.
• Weather.
• Terrain.
• Water.
• Wildlife.

Emergency capabilities should reflect the location.

Wilderness Locations

Wilderness work may expose cast and crew to:

• Uneven terrain.
• Poisonous plants.
• Insects.
• Wildlife.
• Heat.
• Cold.
• Limited communications.

Employees should receive information about relevant local hazards.

Urban Exterior Locations

Urban filming may involve:

• Pedestrians.
• Traffic.
• Businesses.
• Overhead utilities.
• Public interaction.
• Noise.
• Equipment security.

The production should establish appropriate controls for crew and public safety.

Night Filming

Night shoots can increase hazards involving:

• Reduced visibility.
• Fatigue.
• Traffic.
• Uneven terrain.
• Equipment movement.

Work areas, walkways, and emergency routes should have appropriate illumination.

Severe Weather

Productions should monitor weather when employees may be exposed to:

• Lightning.
• High winds.
• Heavy rain.
• Flooding.
• Snow.
• Ice.
• Extreme temperatures.

Operations should be suspended or modified when conditions create unacceptable risk.

Lightning

Outdoor work should be stopped or relocated when lightning creates an unsafe condition.

Productions should identify appropriate shelter before storms arrive.

High Winds

Wind can affect:

• Lighting.
• Tents.
• Screens.
• Cranes.
• Lifts.
• Scaffolds.
• Set pieces.
• Aerial operations.

Equipment should be secured or taken out of service when conditions exceed safe operating limits.

Heat Stress Prevention

Outdoor filming, hot locations, heavy work, costumes, and PPE can increase heat stress.

Heat-illness prevention should consider:

• Acclimatization.
• Drinking water.
• Rest.
• Shade or cooling.
• Workload.
• Employee monitoring.

Cold Stress

Cold environments can expose employees to:

• Hypothermia.
• Frostbite.
• Reduced dexterity.
• Slips on ice.

Appropriate clothing, warming opportunities, and work practices should be provided.

Production Costumes and PPE

Costumes do not automatically provide occupational protection.

Where employees are exposed to hazards requiring PPE, appropriate protection should be provided even when wardrobe or visual requirements create production challenges.

Safety controls should be incorporated into costume and scene planning.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE may include:

• Eye protection.
• Face protection.
• Gloves.
• Protective footwear.
• Hard hats.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection.
• Fall protection.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Personal flotation devices.

PPE should be selected according to the actual hazard.

Hearing Conservation

Production noise may result from:

• Gunfire.
• Explosions.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Machinery.
• Generators.
• Music.
• Aircraft.

Noise exposure should be evaluated and appropriate controls implemented.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory hazards may include:

• Dust.
• Paint.
• Welding fumes.
• Smoke.
• Fog.
• Construction materials.
• Mold.
• Hazardous locations.

Where respirators are required, an appropriate Respiratory Protection Program should be maintained.

Hazard Communication

Productions may use hazardous chemicals in:

• Construction.
• Painting.
• Special effects.
• Makeup.
• Cleaning.
• Vehicle maintenance.
• Set decoration.

Hazardous chemicals should be labeled, Safety Data Sheets should be accessible, and affected employees should receive appropriate information and training.

Hazardous Materials on Location

Existing buildings and locations may contain hazards such as:

• Asbestos.
• Lead.
• Mold.
• Chemical contamination.
• Damaged building materials.

Locations should be evaluated before employees disturb suspect materials.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Certain production employees may have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Applicable Bloodborne Pathogens procedures should be established where required.

Employees should not use actual blood where safer theatrical substitutes are appropriate.

First Aid and Medical Support

Productions should provide first-aid and medical resources appropriate to:

• Crew size.
• Work activities.
• Location.
• Emergency response time.
• Higher-risk scenes.

Personnel should know how to obtain emergency medical assistance.

Set Medic

Where a set medic or other medical professional is assigned, that person should have appropriate access to:

• Work areas.
• Emergency information.
• Medical equipment.
• Communication.

Medical personnel should be informed before significant high-risk activities.

Emergency Action Plan

Emergency planning should address foreseeable production emergencies.

Potential scenarios include:

• Fire.
• Severe injury.
• Weather.
• Chemical release.
• Vehicle incident.
• Water rescue.
• Aircraft incident.
• Public emergency.

Employees should understand alarms, evacuation routes, assembly locations, and emergency communication procedures.

Emergency Access

Production equipment, vehicles, cables, sets, and other materials should not block required:

• Exits.
• Fire lanes.
• Fire equipment.
• Emergency vehicle access.

Emergency access should be considered during setup rather than after filming begins.

Evacuation

Employees should understand:

• When to evacuate.
• Exit routes.
• Assembly locations.
• Accountability procedures.

Temporary production layouts should not compromise emergency egress.

Security and Public Safety

Productions may attract members of the public and may involve valuable equipment, celebrities, crowds, or restricted locations.

Security procedures should consider:

• Access control.
• Public separation.
• Equipment security.
• Emergency access.
• Suspicious activity.

Security measures should not create new evacuation or workplace hazards.

Crowd Scenes

Scenes involving large numbers of performers or background actors should consider:

• Access.
• Egress.
• Communication.
• Weather.
• Water.
• Sanitation.
• Emergency response.

Participants should receive appropriate instructions before complex movement or effects.

Minors — When Applicable

Productions employing minors should comply with applicable employment, permitting, supervision, education, work-hour, and welfare requirements.

Safety planning should account for the age and capabilities of young performers.

Minors should not be exposed to hazards merely because an adult performer could perform the activity.

Contractors and Vendors

Productions may rely heavily on:

• Equipment rental companies.
• Construction contractors.
• Caterers.
• Transportation companies.
• Special-effects vendors.
• Security providers.
• Location contractors.

Production and contractor responsibilities should be coordinated.

Relevant hazards should be communicated between employers.

Multi-Employer Production Worksites

Multiple employers may work simultaneously at a production location.

Safety coordination should address:

• Shared hazards.
• Restricted areas.
• Emergency procedures.
• Equipment movement.
• Electrical systems.
• Stunts.
• Special effects.

Each employer remains responsible for applicable duties to its employees.

Loading and Unloading

Production equipment may be loaded and unloaded from:

• Trucks.
• Trailers.
• Vans.
• Carts.
• Shipping containers.

Procedures should address:

• Vehicle movement.
• Liftgates.
• Ramps.
• Heavy equipment.
• Manual handling.
• Falling objects.

Material Handling

Production employees frequently move:

• Lighting.
• Grip equipment.
• Sets.
• Props.
• Camera equipment.
• Cable.
• Cases.

Mechanical assistance and team lifting should be used where appropriate.

Powered Industrial Trucks

Forklifts may be used in:

• Studios.
• Warehouses.
• Construction areas.
• Locations.

Only trained and authorized employees should operate Powered Industrial Trucks.

Housekeeping

Production workplaces can change rapidly.

Housekeeping should control:

• Cables.
• Equipment cases.
• Tools.
• Set materials.
• Debris.
• Spills.
• Temporary structures.

Walkways and emergency routes should remain accessible.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Common production trip hazards include:

• Electrical cables.
• Camera cables.
• Rigging equipment.
• Uneven terrain.
• Temporary flooring.
• Set materials.

Cable management and adequate lighting are particularly important.

Sanitation and Welfare

Productions should provide appropriate:

• Drinking water.
• Restroom facilities.
• Handwashing.
• Eating areas.
• Waste disposal.

Facilities should reflect crew size and location conditions.

Workplace Violence and Security

Productions should establish procedures for reporting:

• Threats.
• Violence.
• Suspicious activity.
• Unauthorized persons.

Employees should know how to obtain assistance.

Incident Reporting

Cast and crew should promptly report:

• Injuries.
• Illnesses.
• Near misses.
• Equipment failures.
• Vehicle incidents.
• Firearm incidents.
• Stunt incidents.
• Special-effects incidents.
• Unsafe conditions.

Serious incidents should be immediately communicated to appropriate production management and emergency authorities as necessary.

Incident Investigation

Significant incidents should be investigated to identify:

• Immediate causes.
• Contributing factors.
• Root causes.
• Corrective actions.

Investigations may consider:

• Planning.
• Equipment.
• Procedures.
• Communication.
• Scheduling.
• Training.
• Supervision.
• Production changes.

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis may identify underlying issues involving:

• Production planning.
• Script changes.
• Schedule pressure.
• Department coordination.
• Equipment selection.
• Training.
• Supervision.
• Communication.
• Corrective-action systems.

Corrective actions should address identified causes rather than simply assigning blame.

Production Safety Inspections

Periodic inspections may evaluate:

• Sets.
• Stages.
• Locations.
• Electrical systems.
• Rigging.
• Lifts.
• Scaffolds.
• Ladders.
• Construction shops.
• Fire protection.
• Emergency access.
• PPE.
• Housekeeping.

Hazards should be corrected or controlled before affected work continues.

Production Safety Training

Training should reflect employee duties and production hazards.

Depending on responsibilities, training may address:

• General production safety.
• Hazard Communication.
• Electrical safety.
• Lifts.
• Forklifts.
• Fall Protection.
• Rigging.
• Tools.
• PPE.
• Emergency procedures.

Specialized activities should be performed only by employees with appropriate qualifications and training.

New Crew Orientation

Crew joining a production should receive appropriate safety information.

Orientation may address:

• Safety responsibilities.
• Hazard reporting.
• Emergency procedures.
• Location hazards.
• Required PPE.
• Restricted areas.
• Safety meetings.

Department-Specific Training

Department Heads should ensure employees understand hazards specific to their work.

Training may include equipment-specific procedures, department rules, and applicable production safety bulletins.

Safety Bulletins

Applicable industry safety bulletins should be reviewed and distributed to affected personnel when their subject matter is relevant to the production.

Safety bulletins may accompany:

• Call sheets.
• Safety meetings.
• Department briefings.
• Risk assessments.

Current versions should be used.

Refresher Training

Additional training may be appropriate when:

• Assignments change.
• Equipment changes.
• New hazards are introduced.
• Unsafe work is observed.
• An incident occurs.
• Employees demonstrate insufficient understanding.

Safety Records

Productions should maintain applicable safety records.

Records may include:

• Training.
• Safety meetings.
• Risk assessments.
• JSAs/JHAs.
• Equipment inspections.
• Incident reports.
• Corrective actions.
• Exposure records.
• Required permits.
• Production safety documentation.

Records should be retained according to applicable requirements.

California Film & Television Production Safety

California has additional occupational safety requirements and production-industry provisions that may apply to motion picture, television, streaming, commercial, music video, and other production work.

A California production should evaluate applicable:

• Cal/OSHA regulations.
• California Labor Code requirements.
• Fire requirements.
• Film-permit requirements.
• Local jurisdiction requirements.
• Industry safety requirements.

The applicability of individual requirements depends on the production and its activities.

California Injury and Illness Prevention Program

California employers are generally required to maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program.

A production IIPP should address applicable:

• Responsibility.
• Compliance.
• Communication.
• Hazard assessment.
• Accident and exposure investigation.
• Hazard correction.
• Training.
• Recordkeeping.

Production-specific hazards should be incorporated into the program.

California Safety on Productions Pilot Program — When Applicable

Certain California motion picture productions participating in the applicable California Film and Television Tax Credit Program are subject to the Safety on Productions Pilot Program.

The pilot program operates from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030.

Covered productions are required to use a qualified Safety Advisor and perform required production risk assessments.

Because participation depends on the production’s tax-credit status, these requirements should not be represented as applying to every California production.

California Safety Advisor — When Applicable

A covered production must employ or assign a dedicated qualified Safety Advisor as required by the pilot program.

The Safety Advisor works in tandem with, but independently of, performers and crew and is assigned exclusively to the production.

The Safety Advisor has responsibilities involving:

• Production safety oversight.
• General risk assessment.
• Specific risk assessments.
• Location and equipment access.
• Daily safety meetings.
• Hazard mitigation.
• Production safety evaluation.

The role should be integrated into production planning beginning during applicable pre-production activities.

General Risk Assessment — California Pilot Program

For a covered production, the general risk assessment is a detailed written review of the script and production plan.

The assessment identifies and evaluates pre-production and production activities or locations that may create employee hazards and establishes mitigation measures.

Appropriate department heads and personnel with specialized knowledge should participate.

Specific Risk Assessments — California Pilot Program

Specific written risk assessments are required for designated higher-risk activities under the pilot program.

These include applicable activities involving:

• Firearms.
• Major pyrotechnics and explosives.
• Major stunts.
• Process shot moves.
• Aircraft or trains.
• Vehicles operated off road.
• Watercraft in open water.
• Individuals underwater for prolonged periods.
• Workweeks exceeding 60 hours.

The Safety Advisor may determine that other production activities require specific risk assessment.

Additional California High-Risk Activities

Other activities that may warrant specific risk assessment can include:

• Overhead rigging.
• Rugged outdoor locations.
• Inclement weather.
• Animals.
• Heights.
• Intermittent traffic control.
• Night shoots.
• Other elevated-risk activities.

Risk assessments should be revised when meaningful changes alter the activity, location, hazards, or mitigation measures.

Daily Safety Meetings — California Pilot Program

Covered productions must conduct daily safety meetings as required by the pilot program.

The Safety Advisor participates in these meetings.

Additional safety briefings may still be necessary before particular scenes, effects, stunts, or changing conditions.

Firearms in California Productions

California has additional requirements concerning firearms and blank ammunition in motion picture production.

Productions using firearms should evaluate current state requirements in addition to applicable permits, industry safety bulletins, and other laws.

Firearm procedures should be reviewed whenever applicable laws or industry requirements change.

Additional Safety Programs

Depending on the production’s activities, locations, and employee exposures, additional programs may be necessary for:

• Film & Television Production Safety.
• Injury and Illness Prevention.
• Production Risk Assessment.
• Job Safety Analysis.
• Location Safety.
• Set Construction.
• Grip & Rigging.
• Production Electrical Safety.
• Production Lighting.
• Temporary Power Distribution.
• Generator Safety.
• Camera Crane Safety.
• Gimbal Safety.
• Ladder Safety.
• Scaffolding.
• Aerial Lifts.
• Fall Protection.
• Hand & Power Tools.
• Machine Guarding.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Vehicle Safety.
• Process Trailer / Camera Vehicle Safety.
• Traffic Control.
• Railroad Safety.
• Stunt Safety.
• Firearm Safety.
• Prop Weapon Safety.
• Special Effects.
• Pyrotechnics.
• Open Flame.
• Smoke & Fog Effects.
• Hot Work.
• Fire Prevention.
• Animal Safety.
• Water Safety.
• Boating Safety.
• Commercial Diving.
• Helicopter Safety.
• Fixed-Wing Aircraft.
• Drone / UAS Safety.
• Parachuting & Skydiving.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Cold Stress.
• Severe Weather.
• Hazard Communication.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• First Aid.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Workplace Security.
• Contractor Safety.
• Incident Reporting & Investigation.
• Root Cause Analysis.

Programs should be included when the production’s work makes them applicable.

Building a Film & Television Production Safety Manual

A useful Film & Television Production Safety Manual should establish consistent company-wide safety requirements while allowing the hazards of individual productions to be addressed through production-specific planning.

A studio-based television production may require extensive procedures for stages, temporary electrical distribution, lighting, grip and rigging, set construction, aerial lifts, scaffolds, shops, fire prevention, and material handling.

A feature film performing extensive location work may require additional procedures for transportation, remote locations, weather, public safety, temporary power, water, aircraft, animals, vehicle action, and emergency response.

An action production may require significantly greater emphasis on stunt coordination, firearms, pyrotechnics, special effects, vehicles, rigging, aircraft, water work, medical support, and scene-specific risk assessment.

A commercial or music-video production may have a shorter production schedule but can still involve complex lighting, temporary power, lifts, rigging, vehicles, special effects, and rapidly changing locations.

A production company working repeatedly on different projects can maintain a comprehensive master safety manual and then supplement it with applicable production-specific risk assessments, JSAs/JHAs, location assessments, safety bulletins, emergency information, and other project-specific documents.

This approach allows the company’s underlying safety expectations to remain consistent while recognizing that the hazards of every production are different.

Customized Film & Television Production Safety Manuals

A Film & Television Production Safety Manual can be developed around the production company’s typical work, departments, equipment, sets, studios, locations, construction activities, electrical systems, rigging, vehicles, special effects, stunts, environmental conditions, and other occupational hazards.

The finished manual may incorporate applicable programs for Production Safety Management, Injury and Illness Prevention, Production Risk Assessment, Set Construction, Grip and Rigging, Electrical Safety, Lighting, Vehicles, Stunts, Firearms, Special Effects, Pyrotechnics, Water Operations, Aircraft, PPE, Emergency Planning, Incident Investigation, and other hazards associated with film and television production.

Production-specific hazards can then be addressed through risk assessments, JSAs/JHAs, location assessments, safety meetings, industry safety bulletins, and other supplemental documents.

This provides film, television, streaming, commercial, music-video, and related production companies with a practical safety system that can be adapted from one production to the next.