205 Photo imaging equipment and materials Part 3- Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Photographers have to be aware of the environmental and health issues in Photography. Not so much now but many of the chemicals that are/were used in Photography can be and are damaging to your health. The 1974 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act needs to be referred too. Employees and public must take reasonable care. Risk assessments should be made for all activities, including fire precautions, using display equipment, manual handling and control of substances COSHH, either in the studio or out on location. The Photographer should have the appropriate current employer and public liability and vehicle insurance. The photographer should have a formal agreement with the customer.

Studio

Setting up a studio eg means you must comply with the health and Safety Act, especially if you hire an assistant and have the public in. If you are using chemicals then proper ventilation must be in place, not annoy the neighbours with the smell, and have proper methods of disposing of the used chemicals. It is also important to have the proper insurance in place when running the business.

In the studio trip hazards are a particular problem, with trailing cables etc. At Burton college studio for example the majority of the lighting is suspended from the ceiling which eliminates many trip hazards. Safety cables must be fitted to ensure that no accidental damage can be done. However, care must be taken to ensure the correct fixings are stable. Trailing cables should always be taken and routed away from the working area as much as possible. Props, backdrops and materials should always be put away when not in use. Models should not be asked to move props etc, nor adopt dangerous or uncomfortable poses. The minimum number of people should be in the studio, and all should be briefed on the potential hazards. Check all equipment is in good working order prior to your subject arriving.

All electrical appliances and equipment must be tested for electrical safety, and maintained by a competent person. Only trained persons should use and move any electrical equipment. All studio flash units should be covered with a soft box or similar piece of equipment to help prevent burns from exposed flash units. Only trained persons to be allowed to operate the lighting system. Need to ensure that flash units do not get too hot so as cause ignition or burn anybody. No naked lights etc are to be used. Where flames of some sort are required for the shoot, then the necessary fire fighting appliances need to be available, to be used only by competent persons.

All persons need to informed of all the safety regulations, evacuation routes and shown where the fire exits , smoking areas, etc are.

Location

The photographer should visit the location prior to the shoot to establish any hazards, and carry out any risk assessments required. If in a public place then this has to be considered. Consult the customer on any location risk and decide what actions are required, and take any actions to minimise any identifiable problems. Comply with any reasonable requests or rules at your location.

Observe the countryside code in all aspects when out on location. When in the hills and mountains take special note of the weather conditions. Plan your trip so as to use the minimum of equipment to carry. Ensure you are aware of your surroundings and plan accordingly. Don’t take unnecessary risks, and if appropriate inform somebody of where you are going and when you are likely to be back.