Free Occupational Health & Safety Briefing for Screen Producers: Tuesday June 8
The SPAA is hosting a special free industry briefing on the requirements of current OHS law and the impact changes in OHS Legislation will have on WA Screen production practices and responsibilities to be lawful.
The W.A. film and television industry has a good safety record but its current processes and practices have not evolved to meet requirements under the WA’s OHS Regulations 1996 nor adequate to meet the OHS standards enshrined in the new Federal Work Heath & Safety Act (the model Act) proposed for enactment in 2011.
A safety report and reference to the Film Industry Recommended SafetyCode is not sufficient to comply with employer obligations under theOHS Act and the new Act will place greater emphasis on active safetyinvolvement by company officers.
Production companies must have thorough safe systems of workparticularly with regards to consultation, risk management and OHStraining.
The best OHS systems are woven through production systems that alreadyexist. The cost of not doing it can be fatal- and the culpability canextend through all levels of production to the producer, supplier andpossibly the client.
SPAA in association with ScreenWest is hosting a special two-hourseminar to provide industry practitioners with an overview of OHS inFilm & TV and the resources you can access to help you plan yournext steps.
The Seminar
An Introduction to OHS in Screen Production, your OHS responsibilities and steps you can take towards meeting them.
When: June 8, 2010
Time: 9.30 -11.30am
Venue: Art Gallery of W.A. Theatrette (entry off James St Mall)
Chair: Ryan Hodgson, SPAA WA Chapter Head
Speakers:
Peter Wasson, OHS Media (SPAA OHS consultant). A former SBS & ABCproducer and programmer, Peter lectures at the AFTRS and runs an OHSconsultancy (OHS Media) specifically aimed at assisting the screenindustry. OHS Media is a RTO delivering accredited OHS training and theDiploma of Screen & Media.
Bethwyn Serow, SPAA Policy Manager. A former TV producer and directorworking in Australia and Europe. As part of her role within SPAA,Bethwyn supports the development of industry OHS advice and onlinetools for its members.
Who Should Attend:
Drama and Documentary Producers, Production Managers, Advertising Agencies, TVC Producers, Heads of Departments.
RSVP: spaa@spaa.org.au by Monday 7th June 2010
5 Comments
Great that there is now more useless paperwork for everyone to do. Great that the OHS and SPAA tell us what to do, in a meeting room that had over 120 people, licensed for 100. Broke their own rules whilst telling us what to do
Dear Anonymous,
Did someone mention you are an IDIOT? Do you even know what a Safety Report is?
Sounds like you know everything – except how to protect your workplace. I hope you have public liability on your next shoot! Paperwork might be useless to you but if it saves a life then maybe you should consider it?
I prefer my crew healthy, safe and alive and I take on that responsibility as the owner of my company and the employer of my crew/ staff.
Local Producer with Public Liability, Worker Comp Insurance and OHS standards on ALL shoots.
Thank you Anonymous,
Also have Public Liability, Workers Comp Insurance, OHS recognition, First Aid Certification, reports on all scripts and Insurance Broker who checks all scripts to ensure that there is nothing that is not covered within all shoots for safety for crew, cast and any public that might be interacting with the shoot. So in answer to your question, yes we are aware what a safety report is and how to keep our workplace very safe, as we have been doing since the starting of production work.
We would also know that overfilling a room can be dangerous.
IDIOT, I think not
Dear Anonymous
Also forgot to mention we have Working with Children clearance and Police Clearance to cover for all shoots. Something most others forget
Dear 9:29AM,
The Art Gallery of WA Theatrette seats 98, the Gallery’s security guard who let everyone in also took a head count which put the total attendance at 111. This number includes Peter, Bethwyn and myself (and we sat at the front) so we in fact had 108 people for the 98 seats available. So yes, we did exceed the licensed capacity (but by no where near as much as you suggest). And while I recognise the unfortunate irony therein it is a stretch to suggest the venue/seminar was unsafe. However, if our numbers inconvenienced you I apologise.
One last thing: with the exception of your post here all the feedback we have received has been positive.
Thanks CB for promoting the event.