Category Archives: Safe working standards

Improved guidance on managing health and safety and controlling risk

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Paul Evans

HSE has improved its online guidance on managing health and safety and controlling risks for businesses. There are no changes to legal requirements, but the new design and structure will help you quickly find and understand what your business must … Continue reading →

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Martyn’s Law

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Paul Evans

Under new legislation, venues will be expected to take some responsibility to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures. Known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ it will place a requirement on those responsible for certain venues to … Continue reading →

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The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill – unions concerns

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Paul Evans

I’m sure that you’ve picked up some commentary about “The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill”, which was introduced to Parliament on 22 September 2022. This is a key element of the UK Government’s post-Brexit agenda and affects a … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment Contracts, Employment intermediaries, Employment Law and Rights, Employment status, Equality, EU & Brexit, Freelancer rights, Gender equality, Gender pay, Gig economy workers, Health & Safety, Illness and disability, Long hours, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Welfare and benefits | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HSE guidance on work-related violence

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Paul Evans

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines work-related violence as: Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work This can include verbal abuse or threats as well as physical attacks. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Health & Safety, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Workplace conflict | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The use of weaponry on film sets

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Paul Evans

Bectu has been providing assistance to the HSE in the review of Etis 20 – the most recent version of this guidance was produced in 2017 and can be seen here [pdf]. There’s nothing to report on the developments yet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry policy, Health & Safety, Regulation, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Individual liability for safety breaches

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Paul Evans

There’s an interesting article here on Safety and Health Practitioner about a trend towards assigning liability for breaches to individuals instead of companies. “Whilst any potential breach by a business is likely to be associated with failings on the part … Continue reading →

Posted in Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Gig economy workers, Health & Safety, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Working in hot temperatures

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Paul Evans

Looking at a timely email from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it’s worth remembering that there is no law for maximum working temperature, or when it’s too hot to work. However, employers must keep workplaces at a comfortable temperature. … Continue reading →

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Hot weather working – resources

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Paul Evans

There’s a useful collection of advice on hot weather working on the Bectu site – here.

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Health and Safety research resources.

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Paul Evans

We are looking at doing some comparisons between different industries on the physical stress that applies to particular types of work (and ultimately, perhaps, with the industries covered by Bectu in comparison with other countries). One resource Karl Raw from … Continue reading →

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BFC Working Safety During CoViD-19 Guidance

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Paul Evans

Here is the latest version of the British Film Commission guidance on this issue [pdf] (posted without comment).

Posted in Coronavirus, Coronavirus, Feature film data, Health & Safety, High End TV data, Low budget features, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged | Leave a comment

Bectu ‘Live to Work’ campaign launched

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Paul Evans

Bectu has launched the Live to Work campaign aimed at improving terms and conditions in the UK TV drama industry. You can visit the campaign page here and join the network (open to members and non-members), download images to use … Continue reading →

Posted in Bectu Agreements, Film & TV industry policy, Freelance working, High End TV data, Long hours, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, TV Drama Agreement, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Update: CoViD health and safety guidance – links

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Paul Evans

Here are some use useful links that include the latest guidance. UK Government Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace – Guidance covering a range of settings, including what can be done to keep others safe. … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Coronavirus, Health & Safety, Mental Health, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Leave a comment

Halyna Hutchins – Rust producers – “demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety”

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Paul Evans

There’s a lot more investigating to take place, not least into the question of how a live round ended up in a prop gun. But here’s CCN’s account of the report released by New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health & … Continue reading →

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Personal Protective Equipment should always be provided by engagers when needed – even for freelancers of all kinds

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Paul Evans

We have contacted HSE for confirmation that PPE should always be provided by engagers and the fact that a worker is not a direct employee is no defence. For full details of this guidance, see here.

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Bectu / UK Theatre code of conduct for “Get-ins, Fit-ups & Get-outs”

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Paul Evans

Doug McGill has forwarded this to me. From the Preface: “The original Code of Conduct for Get-ins, Fit-ups and Get-outs was created as a result of a serious accident during the unloading of stage flooring on the back of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bectu Agreements, Equipment and kit, Freelance working, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, The working environment | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Global standard for safe listening venues and events – World Health Organisation guide

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Paul Evans

The World Health Organisation has published a global standard for safe listening venues and events. It’s a guide to governments, public health agencies, those involved in the creation, distribution, and amplification of music, the private sector, civil society, and everywhere … Continue reading →

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Fatigue in the TV and film industy

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Paul Evans

There’s a useful summary of this issue on the IOSH magazine website here. It’s got a lot of the kind of thing you’d expect (including a quote from our own Spencer MacDonald). And this: “Research says that when an employee … Continue reading →

Posted in Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, Long hours, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Work-life balance, Workplaces | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bectu Mental Health and Welbeing Policy published

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Paul Evans

This was an idea that came from Bectu members during the pandemic. We did a load of online sessions discussing different aspects of the question “what is wrong with ‘the freelance deal’?” and there was a repeated refrain saying “our … Continue reading →

Posted in Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Health & Safety, High End TV data, Long hours, Management, Mental Health, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mark Milsome Foundation on the Rust incident

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Mark Milsome Foundation, which was founded following the death of Mark Milsome (a British cinematographer who was killed whilst filming a car stunt in Ghana 18th November 2017) has issued a statement (by email – I can’t find it … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry data, Health & Safety, Long hours, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

BEIS consultation on flexible working

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Paul Evans

The BEIS is currently consulting on flexible working – “Making Flexible Working the Default” – here [pdf]. “This consultation includes a set of proposals which are built around the principle that working arrangements are best decided through a constructive, open-minded … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment Contracts, Gender equality, Gender representation, Health & Safety, Long hours, Productivity, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged | Leave a comment

Natasha’s Law – UK Food Labelling Resource

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Paul Evans

You will probably have noticed the fact that there has been a change in legislation relating to the responsibilities caterers face on food labelling, specifically relating to allergies. The new food labelling legislation in the UK such as the UK … Continue reading →

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Updated version of theatre ’10 Principles’ supported by Bectu

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Paul Evans

Today, with Bectu’s support, SOLT and UK Theatre have released an updated version of their 10 Principles for creating safe and inclusive working spaces in the theatre industry, to help tackle bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Bectu have joined a number … Continue reading →

Posted in Bectu Agreements, Bullying and Harassment, Equality, Health & Safety, Mental Health, Safe working standards, Sexual harassment, Theatre and Live Events data, Wellbeing, Work-life balance, Workplace conflict | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bectu engagement with external Health & Safety structures

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Paul Evans

Our Health and Safety Committee has been inactive since the start of the pandemic (though this will change shortly) and Prospect have their NEC Health and Safety committee that continues under the stout stewardship of Chris Warburton. In the meantime, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Coronavirus, EU & Brexit, Film & TV industry data, Health & Safety, Long hours, Management, Mental Health, Occupational Health, Remote working, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, The working environment, Theatre and Live Events data, Trades Unions, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Busy industry = unsafe industry?

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

An Australian study has revealed that economic growth following a period of recession has an impact on workplace injuries. This is particularly interesting in two respects for us at Bectu. The issue of skills fade in theatre and live events … Continue reading →

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Halyna Hutchins – the latest film set tragedy

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Paul Evans

The BBC is rightly focusing on Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who died when reporting the incident involving Alec Baldwin and a prop gun in the latest tragedy on a film set. Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who died when Alec Baldwin … Continue reading →

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Hot workplaces

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Paul Evans

Noting the changing working environment that results from climate change, the Biden Whitehouse is coordinating an interagency effort to … “…respond to extreme heat that threatens the lives and livelihoods of Americans, especially workers, children, and seniors.” The TUC have … Continue reading →

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IATSE go back into talks with AMPTP following overwhelming strike mandate

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Paul Evans

Following the overwhelming support given to a strike ballot, and a slew of pressure from Californian and New York politicos, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) are now headed back into talks with The Alliance of Motion Picture … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry policy, Health & Safety, Long hours, Mental Health, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Personal Injury case demonstrates the value of union membership

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

Thompsons are reporting a successful PI claim on behalf of a Bectu member who sustained serious injuries working on on exhibition in Germany. Anthony Brookes secured more than £158,000 in compensation with the help of his union and Thompsons. You … Continue reading →

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Plaza guide warns of ‘skills fade’ in safety-critical live events roles

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paul Evans

The National Rigging Advisory Group has published a briefing on the dangers of ‘skills fade’ [pdf] as people return to work in theatre and live events – many of whom have been off the tools for nearly 18 months. “Prolonged … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“No-one should die for a shot.” Mark Milsome update

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

In November 2017, Mark Milsome – a Camera Operator – died after being hit by a Land Rover when a stunt went wrong. He had been working on the Netflix and BBC drama Black Earth Rising. His father, Doug Milsome … Continue reading →

Posted in Health & Safety, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Best places to work in TV?

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Broadcast does an awards thing – here. Looking after staff’s mental health, creating the right work-life balance, & making sure staff are treated fairly in terms of inclusivity and diversity are just some attributes that make up the best workplace. … Continue reading →

Posted in Long hours, Mental Health, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Work-life balance, Workplace conflict, Workplaces | Tagged , | Leave a comment

BS7909 Code of Practice for temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Lighting Electricians Branch website has an excellent overview of BS7909 and you can read it here.

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