In all work places health & safety is an important aspect and needs to be addressed just as much when working in the creative industry. Assessing risks when working as a photographer, whether on location or in the studio is vital to safe working conditions. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) is in place to ensure employers, employees and anyone self employed take responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of everyone at work.
Due to the varied nature of the work environment, photography as a profession is not mentioned specifically by the H&S at Work Act (1974), however, there are many guidelines people working in the industry can adhere to ensure safe working practises.
The following guidelines apply to all work places as well as photographic practises:
Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation 1992
Most if not all photographers work with PC's/laptops when processing their images and sometimes can spend many hours sitting in front of the computer.
To comply with H&S regulations and to minimise pains, strains and injuries associated with using a computer station, users should:
- Have regular breaks - around every 15 minutes to prevent headaches and eye strains
- Use ergonomically designed furniture which can minimise poor posture, reduce fatigue and possible back, neck and shoulder and wrist injuries
- Adjust text size on screen to suit requirement
- Adjust screens brightness and contrast and use different background colours to reduce flicker
- Reduce glare or reflection by moving the pc or by sitting in a different position.
- Correct usage of the key board and mouse to avoid pains, strains and RSI. Also use footrests if necessary
- Work in a room with good ventilation and most of the walls are painted grey to avoid colour casts on the screens.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
This regulations places a duty on whoever controls or operates work machinery. In the case of photographers that would include the following:
- All equipment used such as lights, cameras, flash guns, tripods, light modifiers, power packs, screens etc should be suitable for the intended purpose.
- All equipment should have regular service and maintenance to ensure they're still safe to use.
- Everyone using/handling the equipment should receive adequate training and made aware of all the health and safety risks.
- Should have suitable h&s measures in place for emergencies, including markings and warning signs.
- Ensure all equipments are PAT tested every year, including PC's, monitors, printers etc
- Ensure safety when working with studio lights, due to electrical hazards, tripping over wires, touching hot light etc
- Assess the work environment and check for the correct temperature for using certain equipments and ensure the condition is suitable for working in
COSH
Control of Substance Hazardous to Health Regulations is in place to ensure anyone who comes into contact with any potentially dangerous substances such as gas, fumes, liquids and any other substances used in the dark room, assesses the risks involved and puts in the relevant safety measures in place. The risks of using these substances without training and guidance could endanger those using it. Special safety measures such as wearing gloves and safety goggles should be in place when handling dark room material to prevent harm. If you're handling such substance then you also have a duty of safe disposal of such substances, in a way which it doesn't damage the environment.
Risk Assessments
Anyone carrying out a photographic assignment/event/workshop needs to carry out risks assessments, just like you would do in any normal work environment.
Whether you're working on location, in the studio, with one model or with a group of people there are always a number of risks involved that you must assess as a photographer. If you're photographing people , in whatever situation, you should get them to sign a contract/model release form so there are no legal issues when it comes to using those images for your specific purpose. It will help to safeguard you as a photographer.
Studio risks
If you're working in the studio then there are a number of things you must assess in order to ensure a safe working environment:
- Lose wire/cable - they may be trailing across the room and pose a risk of trips and fall - always tape them down
- Make sure lights are not over-balanced as they may fall over and injure/burn the model/s - also serious risks of fire
- Always use the correct stand for the lights you use
- When adjusting barn doors protective clothing should be worn as they can get very hot
- Ensure lighting is cool before moving them
- If you have young children in the studio then make sure there's no danger of them running into anything
Location risks
Going on location can bring its own set of risks. All photographers involved in outdoor shoot must carry out risk assessments in relation to the following and decide on the level of risk and implement measures to minimise or eliminate the risk. Once assessment has been carried out a review should take place after a specific amount of time to check whether anything has changed.
- All photographers should ensure they have public liability insurance in case of accidents/injuries etc, this document needs to be archived for 40 years
- Make sure the car being used is insured for business use
- As mentioned earlier, contracts should be in place signed by the customer
- Get the necessary permission for access and using particular area
- Risk assess the are where photography will be taking place
- Check for signage in place or fire precautions
- Ensure all involved in the shoot is aware of any concerns regarding h&s
- Check all equipment is safe and fit for purpose prior to bring out on location
- Make sure anyone using the equipments are trained to use them safely
