#2 Safety No Compromise

Health and safety in the workplace and in our everyday lives is so important, especially if you work in the film industry.

As the 1st assistant director, we are in charge of monitoring correct and safe working practices. I have heard many times before that 'you are responsible for all health and safety on set'. Yes, the 1st AD is a point of contact to report any health and safety concerns and will or should stop if they see any health and safety procedures being broken. Saying that we are all responsible for our own health and safety, everyone from the actors, runners, riggers to the cast and crew.

During my health and safety briefings on set, I remind people to look out for each other, and if they don't feel comfortable completing a task that someone has asked them to do or they are not trained, they must say no. There is a habit in the industry to say yes to the director, the producer, or your HOD. But I urge everyone to say no more, to stop and think.

If in doubt, ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I qualified?

2. Does the task I have been asked to do make me feel uneasy?

3. Is someone pressuring me to do a task I have little experience with?

4. Do I feel rushed?

A film set is a very dangerous working environment; there is lots of heavy machinery and lots of hazards, and as shooting schedules are cut down, the expectation remains high to deliver the next Emmy-winning show.

I have been on film sets and TV shows where there have been accidents, some that are just accidents and some that could have been avoided. Sadly, there have been people who have lost their lives to this industry, and that is simply unacceptable. As a 1st AD, I always question everything. Here are some examples:

1. Why do we need to fire that gun? No. We don't. I think CGI is so good now; this should be standard practice. You would not believe that I still have to argue this in pre-production. The simple answer is that I won't be on that set if I feel that I am being pushed into an environment that I don't believe in.

2. Do we need to drive the car at 60 mph? No, and if the stunt coordinator says yes, I ask why.

3. Does the actor need to be swimming in the cold lake without a wet suit? No, if the producer says yes, I say why.

4. Do we need to shoot on the side of this mountain? No, if the DOP says yes, I ask why. Why can't it be green screen?

I urge everyone to think about the people that they are working with, and if there is anything that they spot that they think is unsafe, talk to the 1st AD, the producer, or a senior member of the crew and flag it.

When it comes to safety, there is no compromise; we only have one life, and I would like to live it.

And everyone has the right to say CUT if someone's life is in danger.

• If anyone has been affected by anything they have read in this blog post you can visit the film and TV Charity website here.

• Please support the Mark Milsome foundation if you can. This foundation was set up in the name of Mark who tragically lost his life working on a film set.

• Here is a link to the recent discussion in the house of commons regarding health and safety on film sets https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2024-02-01/debates/BD0921DA-4A70-42B8-B964-5AD3895FDB3D/Arts