CAP 722: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Guidance, is compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority’s Intelligence, Strategy and Policy (ISP) division.

This guidance provides information and instruction to assist productions in completing basic aerial filming both safely and within national and international regulation.

In any workplace, access and emergency exit arrangements are subject to health and safety and fire legislation.

Helicopter operations pose risks such as noise and downwash from helicopter rotors, potential mechanical failures, mid-air collisions and hazardous weather conditions.

The safety and animal welfare requirements vary depending on the type of animal and the performance element.  In most cases issues on set are due to allergies, phobias, bites, stings or scratches.

When using horses in a production, it’s crucial to prioritise their safety and welfare to ensure they are treated humanely, and to avoid accidents.

Weather dependence, risk of equipment failure, terrain, and maintaining safe altitude are all risks inherent to para- and hang gliding.

Crew members and actors can be injured by tracks or dollies if not properly secured or if safety protocols are ignored.

Using cranes and jibs carry a number of safety implications that need careful management to ensure the safety of the crew and the equipment.

Risks include musculoskeletal issues, slips, trips and falls, and collisions.

The camera system’s cables and rigging can pose a risk of collision with people, equipment, or structures if not properly managed. The rigging system must be securely installed and maintained to avoid potential failures that could cause the camera to fall or become dislodged.

Filming in and around controlled water (in swimming pools) reduces the risk of flowing water: e.g. current, cold and disease. The risk is higher when the water is open and flowing.

Non-swimmers can inhale or ingest water resulting in drowning or sickness. Poor water quality can lead to bacterial infection and contamination of any equipment that has entered the water. Slips, trips and falls.

Tides, rip tides and currents, water quality and swimmer competence all impact safety in water.

Vessel condition, competency, hazardous machinery, weather, all add to the risk of filming on boats.

Children can be inquisitive and may not recognize the potential danger around them through a lack of awareness plus there is supervision, safeguarding, working hours, welfare and other factors to consider.

Asbestos may be present in buildings and can be a risk if disturbed: fibres inhaled can cause asbestos-related diseases such as cancers of the lungs and chest lining.

Lack of training or experience, poor operation or maintenance are all risks associated with hand tool use.

CAA Guidance – also at dronesafe.co.uk

Diving can result in serious injury, through diving related illness or physical trauma, or even death. When diving abroad, UK Regulations and Approved Code of Practice do not apply. You must comply with the legislation of the country where the dive is taking place.

Fire, electricity, working at height, slips, trips and falls are all hazards in a studio.

Agriculture, horticulture and forestry are some of the most dangerous industries with many fatal and reportable (i.e. the most serious) injuries each year.

Machinery, nose, hazardous substances and moving vehicles are among the potential hazards when filming in factories.

All electrical systems used need to be installed by a competent person to a safe and suitable standard, e.g. BS 7671 and BS 7909.

Hazards generally associated with generators include shocks and electrocution from improper use of power, carbon monoxide poisoning, fires from improper fuelling and noise / vibration hazards.

Unsuitable batteries or incorrect use can result in fire or electric shock.

Falling people or equipment can result in fatality, fractures, or crushing injuries. Poor structural integrity can result in collapse. Adverse weather can result in falls, being struck by equipment or lightning strikes.

Creating obstructions in public areas can result in trips and falls, poor communications with airport security can result in airport operations being disrupted, and ground operations can result in collision, being struck by or entanglement in machinery.

heavy equipment on floors not designed to bear that load, asbestos, cabling, fire and allergic reactions to or bites from pets are all potential hazards.

Machinery, nose, hazardous substances and moving vehicles are among the potential hazards when filming in factories.

The most common hazards are being struck by a moving vehicle, falls from a height, being trapped by something collapsing or overturning, contact with machinery or injury by an animal. There are also health hazards arising from crop dust and chemicals and risks to the pregnant from animals that have recently given birth.

Machinery, noise, working from height, members of the public, open stage edges and low lighting during performances all add to the complexity of filming in theatres.

Proper planning, clear communication with railway authorities, and strict adherence to safety protocols are essential to mitigate risks.

Electrical equipment including radios and mobile telephones creates an ignition risk, vehicle movements also risk causing injury.

Physical or other invasive/abusive contact with the child may cause mental distress. Allegations of contact may result in legal action. A child’s inquisitiveness and lack of awareness can lead to injury from filming equipment.

Whether pitch-side filming or at events with high level commentary boxes or observation platforms within a stadium complex, when filming any event at a sports ground an assessment of the potential health and safety risks must be carried out.

Infection prevention and control, vulnerable children and adults, assault and strict Data Protection requirements all need to be considered.

Checklist for indoor events location recce.

Checklist for outdoor events location recce.

Use of costume brings with it certain risks to costume department staff, and also to the onscreen actors and contributors.

Use of HMU brings with it certain risks to the Make Up artists, and also to the onscreen actors and contributors.

Traffic accidents, falls and ejections, driver distraction, weather, road conditions and equipment stability all present challenges to safely shooting from or with vehicles.

Use of HMU brings with it certain risks to hairstylists, costume department staff, and also to the onscreen actors and contributors.

A construction phase plan is needed for all builds. For small builds it’s acceptable for the plan to be a collection of site rules, risk assessments and method statements, however larger or more complex builds require a build-specific, detailed plan.

Can be completed by builders, carpenters or decorators used on productions to show they are implementing adequate controls to reduce the risks from their activities, or as an inspection checklist by productions.

A Health and Safety File that contains hazard and safety information required to maintain, store and strike the set safely is needed for long-standing sets and sets that are regularly built and dismantled.

Divers are exposed not only to the possibility of drowning but also to a variety of occupational safety and health hazards.

Diving can result in serious injury through diving-related illness or physical trauma, or even death.

Covert filming can put the safety of those involved at risk, including verbal abuse, physical violence, capture, or even imprisonment.

Safety requirements still apply wherever staff are working. Many countries will have their own safety legislation (some with widely differing standards) which may require specific tasks to be done.

Use of A-frames involves several safety risks: falls, the A-frame can be unstable on uneven surfaces or if not set up correctly increasing the chance of tipping over, and overloading can lead to structural failure.

Mounting or handling the camera improperly can lead to accidents or injury, particularly in active or high-risk environments. Using the camera while performing other tasks can lead to distractions and potential accidents, especially in dynamic or hazardous settings.

Equipment can lead to vehicle operation or driver view being obstructed. Use of eye-pieces can result in eye injury if the vehicle brakes or turns aggressively. Airbag deployment can result in impact injury from equipment striking the operator. Handling equipment in a restricted space can lead to musculoskeletal issues.

Incorrect set up can lead to equipment or operators falling from the vehicle. Poor communication between vehicles can result in safety issues not being addressed as quickly as possible. A poor or badly managed route may lead to driver distraction or traffic disruption resulting in collision.

Traffic accidents, falls and ejections, driver distraction, weather, road conditions and equipment stability all present challenges to safely shooting from or with vehicles.

Vehicle movements near cast and crew during filming can pose risks of accidents, injuries, and other safety hazards.

Having a motor vehicle in a studio introduces several risks, both to the cast and crew and to the production environment.

This operation should only be carried out by experienced, trained personnel (normally from a dedicated action vehicle company) who, together with the production Grip must ensure those travelling on the towing vehicle (and/or on the low loader itself) are safely harnessed where necessary, and equipment is secured.

DSE can cause problems if incorrectly used including stress and fatigue, headaches, eye strain, and work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs).

Pests and vermin can pose various hazards that can impact the health and safety of employees, as well as the integrity of the work environment

Temporary structures need to be safe, particularly in case of fire or adverse weather, with procedures to protect the public and others using the facility.

Temporary structures need to be safe, particularly in case of fire or adverse weather. Unsuitable design, anchorage or poor maintenance can result in structural collapse.

The risk of fire on set can be greater than in many other workplaces due to several unique factors associated with film production: SFX, set construction and materials, electrical equipment, confined spaces and crowding.

Lift trucks can be dangerous machines. If you don’t use them properly, they can kill and injure people.

In addition to the obvious risks of fire and explosion, every year in the UK about 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others also suffer ill health.

Doorstepping an interviewee risks potential assault or injury. The subject, known associates and location must be thoroughly researched beforehand and emergency plans in place.

Self shooting / lone operating has the potential for excessively long working hours is increased in particular when combined with driving to and from locations.

A stunt is where a competent person, such as a professional stunt artist, simulates an apparently dangerous activity in a careful and controlled manner.

There are numerous compliance, regulatory and safety issues associated with any commercial kitchen set up.

Lifting equipment includes any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, including attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it.

The use of hazardous lasers with high radiant powers (typically from 200mW to 40W+ i.e. class 3B &4 lasers) requires action to control the risk of a significant eye injury. High power lasers with radiant powers that exceed around 500mW may also burn skin on contact and can be a fire risk.

Strobe lighting effects can triggering seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy, cause eye strain or injury, induce dizziness and/or disorientation, and create hazards in environments where clear visibility is crucial, potentially leading to accidents.

There are multiple potential risks for follow spot operators including fatigue, working at height, heat, electricity, eye damage and burns.

Loading and unloading vehicles movements can risk collisions and reversing accidents, there are risks of slips, trips and falls from height, manual handling and dock levellers, lifts, and conveyors can pose hazards including pinch points that can cause injuries to hands or limbs.

The manual handling of loads is a major cause of injury in the workplace.

All employers have a duty to adequately protect all employees and others affected by what they do which includes mental health

Deafness caused by exposure to noise at work is permanent and incurable. Exposure to noise can also cause other forms of hearing damage such as tinnitus, which is a sensation such as ‘ringing’ or ‘buzzing’ in the ear, which can also occur in combination with hearing loss.

SAs may not be experienced and know how equipment operates and/or understand the hazards on set. Too many people on set could cause crew or equipment to be obstructed. Additional people may result in welfare provision becoming insufficient.

Care should be taken to avoid trapped limbs, especially fingers, trapped clothing as well as slips, trips and falls.

Using real flames involves significant safety precautions and need to be carefully controlled to ensure they behave as intended during filming.

Competence, communication and planning are vital to those who intend to use explosives, pyrotechnic or fire effects

The main methods and types are dry ice, oil mist and hazers, glycol or mineral oil smoke, and pyrotechnic smoke effects.

Without effective control, solder fume rises vertically and, for manual operations, is likely to enter the breathing zone of the solderer. Rosin-based solder flux fume is now regarded as one of the most significant causes of occupational asthma in Britain.

Work in lighting grids above theatre / studio floors presents a serious hazard to those below from falling objects such as lights, tools, etc.

Visitors to premises must not be adversely affected by the company’s activities with regard to their health and safety.

Activities involving firearms and other weapons must be strictly controlled, even when using replicas.

The adverse health effects of hot weather are largely preventable with some forward thinking and planning.

Winter weather varies hugely across the UK. Check what local weather conditions can be expected, especially if you’re filming in remote upland areas.

Provision of welfare facilities aren’t just a legal requirement: they directly impact the well-being, safety, and productivity of cast and crew.

Working alone is not advisable where the risks identified cannot be adequately controlled.

Seating safety, fire safety, Trip and fall hazards, set pieces, props, and equipment being securely fastened, crowd control and security all need to be considered.

Arrangements must be adequate to ensure that those disabled by the environment are not at risk.

Arrangements must be adequate to ensure that those disabled by the environment are not at risk.

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) such as Genie Booms, Scissor Lifts and Telehandlers are used extensively in production and events for their designed purpose as an elevated platform to enable safe work at height, but also for hanging lights, diffusers and screens.

Incorrect use can lead to people falling from ladders or ladders falling or collapsing and/or falling objects.

Commercial drone use is a controlled activity requiring CAA registration, permissions and insurance and more complex flights will need an Operations Authorisation dictating the restrictions the Operator has to fly within.

Manual handling injuries are part of a wider group of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The term ‘musculoskeletal disorders’ includes injuries and conditions that can cause pain to the back, joints and limbs.

The various steadicam mounting systems now available enable smooth tracking shots to be achieved in circumstances where a track and dolly would be either impossible or impractical – but never assume a steadicam can go anywhere

Incorrect placement of equipment can lead to difficulty in operating the vehicle. Distraction can lead to collision with other road users, pedestrians or road furniture, and crew may be occupying the crumple zone of the vehicle making them more vulnerable if there is an impact.

Contributing to or participating in certain types of production carries risks to mental health and psychological wellbeing over and above the normal exposure to workplace stress.

Lighting carries many potential risks including those associated with heat, electrocution, falling from height and falling equipment.

Employers have responsibilities for the health and safety of their employees and any visitors to their premises such as customers, suppliers and the general public.

A lack of familiarity to the environment and lack of risk awareness may result in bad practice or injury.

Scaffolding may be required to create a temporary structure or platform. Scaffolding should always be designed and built by competent and trained people.

Activities involving firearms and must be strictly controlled, even when using replicas.

Anyone can watch proceedings from within the Crown Court, but under section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 and the Contempt of Court Act 1981, filming and recording in the Crown Court is only allowed under certain circumstances.

Construction, Design and Management Regulations: Client Checklist

Guide to pre-production planning, and actions to take on location.

A blank Risk Assessment template, ready for use.

A blank Method Statement template, ready to download and complete.

Serious incidents need to be handled carefully and thoroughly. There’s significant potential for HSE enforcement, prosecution or civil action, so a thorough and methodical process should be followed to make sure all points have been covered. Here is a template to help you get started.

Accident reporting template.

A planning Checklist to help identify production’s responsibilities when filming with helicopters.

A Checklist to help Production Plan for shoots using Hot Air Balloons, Blimps or Airships.

A Planning check list for Productions to utilise when filming in locations with asbestos.

A template to assist productions in creating their CDM health and safety file, ensuring that anyone undertaking future work on a structure or site is informed of the significant health and safety risks that may arise.

A generic Risk Assessment for working within an environment. A confined space is both enclosed or largely enclosed and has a reasonably foreseeable specified risk to workers of: fire, explosion, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation or drowning,

A generic Risk Assessment for supporting Actors on set.

A fitness to participate form to help productions access the health and wellbeing needs of an individual to be involved with production’s activities.

A checklist for productions to help assess the mental health and psychological wellbeing of their contributors and the support they have in place.

This Certificate, shows the results of inspections and tests carried out on the temporary distribution described.

A safety checklist for the use of abrasive wheels.

A checklist for the safe use of ladders and stepladders.

A planning checklist for the safe set up and operation of mobile cranes.

A generic Risk Assessment template for the use of mobile scaffolds/Zip up Towers.

A generic risk assessment template covering the preparation of food for consumption.

A checklist covering safety considerations for filming in a domestic premises.

A checklist to help productions carryout filming on roads and motorways safely.

A checklist to assist productions when filming in a hospital or medical setting.

A safety checklist for general location filming.

A checklist for filming at Ports and Dockyards.

A filming checklist for filming at railway stations and underground.

A safety checklist for filming in Schools.

A questionnaire is to assist in safeguarding the health and safety of employees whilst working from home.

A template checklist for a production start up meeting.

A checklist to help plan the health and safety requirements for a shoot abroad.

Driver declaration form, for employee’s driving for work.

A checklist for the filming of and from vehicles.

A safety checklist for the use of an outside broadcast vehicle.

A checklist for filming on or near inland waterways.

A checklist for filming at sea.

A generic risk assessment for diving.

A checklist to help manage all aspects of office safety.

A generic Risk Assessment for construction activities.

A checklist to help evaluate the emergency provisions available to Production and to plan additional controls as required.

A generic Risk Assessment for the filming of Motorsports.

A planning check list for safe filming using a hot air balloon

This checklist identifies some of the common hazards found on construction sites, and for maintenance work. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list as the hazards will vary on each project. However the list may be of assistance when inspecting the site.

A generic Risk Assessment for the use of handtools.

A pre-use checklist for ladders and stepladders.

A generic risk assessment for the use of snow effects on productions.

A template for an Events Emergency Procedure.

Cross-industry guidance re use of MEWPs in Film and TV that may assist in ensuring that lifting operations on their projects are carried out safely and in compliance with best practice and legal requirements.