Health and Safety

Professional film crews take health and safety issues very seriously. The line of responsibility runs from the producer to the production manager and 1st assistant director, before finally moving onto all crew members who have a duty of care which is recognised by law. If someone can see the potential for an accident, but does nothing to try to prevent it, they can be held responsible in some way, probably along with their senior colleagues.
When filming, people have much inside their minds, aspects of production can get rushed, and risks can increase. Even simple pieces can become dangerous because they are not used in ordinary situations. Of course, all of life presents hazards, but if someone is asked to run down a hill repeatedly to get the scene right, for example, the risk of them tripping and falling is increased with each time that they do this. In addition, if the area in which the actor falls is constructed from a material such as stone rather than grass, the risk of serious injury is increased dramatically.

The most effective way to keep production of films as risk-free as possible, is to plan and study beforehand each shooting setup and location individually, enabling all hazards to be spotted before production has even begun. This is known as a risk assessment, which involves identifying all hazards, before evaluating the risks, and determining measures to control said risks. The final step is to then put in place safeguards that will eliminate or minimise risk.
It is deemed important to remember that the noun 'hazard' refers to the potential for harm, while 'risk' is the chance of said harm actually occurring. Although some hazards might seem very obvious, people may still need to have them pointed out.

Weather
Extremes of weather are one commonly overlooked hazard. When working outside for long periods of time, it is essential to make sure that the crew is dressed appropriately. People may potentially get cold very quickly even in what seems quite mild weather, whilst rain, snow, and strong wind can scare people away from working, as well damage film equipment.
Sunburn and heatstroke are other outdoor hazards. It is recommended that the crew always has high-protection sunscreen on hand. The other reason for sunscreen is to stop the actors' appearance from changing drastically, which may ruin the continuity of the film. Aside from this, plenty of bottled water should also be available to drink in order for everyone to stay hydrated.

Time Pressure
The concept of rushing to finish production within the time limit allows hazards to be unidentified or ignored, and people begin to start taking risks. If this starts to happen, some of the crew may decide to take a few moments to calm everyone down and remind them of the consequences of rushing. If people feel extremely pressured, it may be best for the producers to find ways to lighten the work-load, such as cutting out certain shots to give more time towards the most essential aspects of the film, or even extending the deadline if possible.

Sharp Objects
The use of sharp objects such as scissors and utility knives are often required to cut cable ties, gaffer tape, and other materials. When these are not in use, they should be stored safely with blade covers on in places where they will not be accidentally knocked. To increase the rate of protection, only those who work on pieces of set should be enabled to handle them, as they not only have professional expertise in using them, but have a strong reason to utilise them.

Suspended Equipment
Before filming, the production team must ensure that all suspended equipment is securely fastened and, where necessary, with secondary measures to stop items such as studio lights, cameras, and heavy backdrops, from falling, which will not only cause extreme amounts of damage to people, but also to the equipment itself.

Risks of Tripping
In order to prevent people from tripping, the area for production must be kept clean, clear and uncluttered. All the equipment required is to be stored in the correct and safe way when it is not in use. Items should be stored in designated areas around the sides or outside of the area for production. No equipment or empty boxes are to be left in walkways or places that people could trip over them, as this can result in serious injury.

Tripods and Light Stands
When in use, the support legs of all tripods and light stands must be pulled fully open to give the greatest stability. This reduces the risk of equipment toppling over on top of people, or damaging the equipment.

Trailing Wires and Leaks
All electrical wires must be taped down or run through safety covers and protectors. This is to prevent people from tripping over the wires, as well as to prevent damage and wear to the cables. It is also best to keep the use of extension cables to a minimum. In addition, if sockets are used, one must check to make sure that the combined electricity is not exceeding the sockets' allowance. Furthermore, when plugging and unplugging electrical equipment, both the equipment and the plug socket must be switched off before putting the plug in.
Electricians are to ensure that all the electrical equipment is up-to-date with PAT (Portable Appliance Testing). Visuals checks are to be carried out regularly to ensure that there are no exposed wires or damaged leads, that plugs are firmly pushed into sockets, that no cables are stretched, and that the equipment looks to be in good condition whilst functioning as designed.

Lights
It is of vital importance that everyone involved in the production of films do not touch lighting bulbs, even when cold, as those who do can receive skin burns. Incandescent lights work at high temperatures. If handled, the finger marks and traces left behind can cause localised hot spots that will cause a bulb to blow, or even explode.
Those responsible for lighting must make sure that the lights are given plenty of time to cool down after use, in case they need to be moved. Lights are also more fragile and prone to breaking if moved when still hot.

Food and Drink
Ensuring that the crew is well fed and hydrated obviously makes everyone work better. If caterers are available to organise food and drink breaks at set times, production can run much more smoothly. However, it is also important to keep food and drink separate from all film equipment. This is to prevent food or drink destroying or damaging the equipment. In addition, any food or drink that falls onto the floor can become a slip hazard. Aside from this, there is also a possibility that photographic chemicals are present within the area for production, which may contaminate food and drinks.

https://movingimageeducation.org/create-films/production/the-production-department/health-and-safety
https://09slyounghusband.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/health-safety/