Unit 10

Unit 10: Awareness of Health and Safety in the Creative Media Sector

1.1: Describe key elements of health and safety regulations, relevant to working in the creative media sector

Health and safety regulations when working in the creative media sector are almost identical to regulations working anywhere else. The same rules such as, trip and fall hazards, fire hazards as well as contamination risks still apply. I would say that the creative media sector has a lot of unique and detailed regulations when it comes to health and safety. To answer this question I am going to be using the film industry as my example. Electrical safety is expressed in this industry more than others because you are working, all day long with computers, cameras, scanners, lights, etc. It is important to make sure all regulations are followed for using technical equipment or the user could be injured through electrocution or the equipment itself could be damaged, resulting in a loss of time and profits. Back injuries are very common when working in the creative media sector as you may be required to lift heavy equipment from one place to another. It is therefore important complete the appropriate health and safety training which should help to avoid serious injury. Incorrect lifting can result in you having to take time off to recover and it is unlikely you will get any compensation at all because you underwent the training provided including the first aid provision and signed to say you were there and understood what was said. 

 

1.2: Explain safe working practices for a specific job role in the Creative Media Sector

Safe working practices for a production assistant at a film production company could include making sure all the sets are safe and secure before and after they are used. It might also necessary to keep some members of the crew away from the hot lights because standing next to them is a risk and it is the production assistants job is to ensure no harm comes to anyone. Under UK law, all electronic equipment must be PAT tested (Portable Appliance Testing) to ensure they are safe to use.  Keeping fire exits clear from equipment is something a production assistant needs to check regularly as well as managing cables that run along floors. If you find a risk or a hazard when working on set it is important to either deal with it yourself or bring it to attention immediately. Your colleges should understand and respect your job role and should do what the production assistant asks you to do because it his job to keep everyone on set safe. This might even mean asking your boss to move because you think there is a hazard in which he could get hurt.

1.3: Describe the main employer responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act

It is an employers legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business. This may mean that employers have to use some of their money to make sure they do not go against the Health and Safety at Work Act. This could include buying specialist protective equipment or setting up training days to outline the seriousness of health and safety in the workplace. They have a responsibility under law to assess the risks in the work place. They also have to inform their employees about basic health and safety either through consultation or through a safety representative elected by the workforce or appointed by a trade union. Staff training days are essential for people to learn about the correct way to operate equipment as well as what do in case of an emergency. Handouts help people stay educated about what to do if they encounter a health and safety problem. The below image shows a government information poster illustrating what you need to know with regards to health and safety.

2.1: Describe the differences between hazards and risks

A hazard means a situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person such as water spillages, electricity, chemicals and so on. A risk is the is the likelihood (high or low chance) of a hazard that will potentially cause harm to somebody. An example would be getting hit by a car while crossing the road. Although, not very likely, there is still a chance that this could happen. It is impossible to live in a world without risks but preventing a risk from turning into a hazard is something you can control; especially in the work place.

2.2: Carry out a risk assessment

As you can see by the risk assessment I carried out, there are a few problems that need to be dealt with to prevent injury or even death. If there was a fire or you had to exit the building quickly for whatever reason and the closest exit was blocked it could turn into a serious problem. That is why instruments should be placed in appropriate store rooms regardless of 'lack of space' and exits should remain completely clear. Damages to any major machinery such as the lift should be immediately closed and an engineer must be called to fix any damages. As I have stated in the risk assessment above, regular bathroom maintenance checks need to be carried out throughout the day by staff, not just for health and safety but for also hygiene. Finally, dangerous chemicals that are lying about on counters and in reach of anyone should be dealt with immediately. This could include locking them in cupboards and can only be accessed by cleaning staff. If all these standards are met then the building will be a much safer environment for everyone.  

2.3: Report identified hazards and risks to the appropriate parties

During my risk assessment, I found cleaning equipment left out in a hall way. This included a hover, several buckets and even some cleaning chemicals. I responded quickly by informing my boss that it was a trip and fall hazard in which he reacted by bringing it up with the cleaning staff who quickly dealt with the issue.

2.4: Suggest ways of reducing risks to health and safety in a specific creative media job role

There are many ways of reducing risks to health and safety in a creative media job role, for example working in radio. When in a radio studio or indeed a recording studio of any kind, you are working with expensive, high quality and complicated equipment such as mics, computers, PA systems and the likes of that so it is important to have your equipment regularly checked by a qualified engineer. This is because if the equipment hasn't been tested, there is every chance the system could become faulty for whatever reason, potentially putting a number of lives in danger. Also, you are dealing with electrical devices so any type of liquid such as water and coffee should have a cap securely fastened to prevent it from damaging the equipment. It is highly likely the studio will be covered in wires which is a massive trip and fall hazard. So, any loose wires in people's reach should be taped to the floor. These procedures are not exclusive to the radio industry so they should be considered for most jobs in the creative media sector however, I thought it was especially relevant and important in this industry.