Health & Safety

We all know that set safety is important; but with all the complicated equipment, diverse crew needs, and unfamiliar locations, we don’t all know where to start. Whether you are a crew member wondering about your rights or a producer wanting to set up a safer environment, here are some tips and resources to keep in mind about set safety.  

General Labor Laws

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures the safe and healthy working conditions for workers across the United States. Workers in every occupation have the right to a safe workspace, training about job hazards, and the ability to file a complaint with OSHA without retaliation from their employer. 

Other Helpful Resources: 

• • OSHA Basic Rights For Individuals and Responsibilities of Employers
  • OSHA A-Z Index
  • OSHA FAQ

Health & Safety On Set

The 1st Assistant to the Director (1st AD) is responsible for safety on set. The 1st AD should conduct regular safety meetings with the crew and include relevant safety information on call sheets. Larger productions might hire a safety officer, set medic, or other trained individuals to assist the 1st AD with set safety.

Location managers should report any unique location hazards to the 1st AD and the unit production manager (UPM). Learn more about ways that location managers and other department heads can address common safety concerns. 

Below are resources for common hazards on set: 

• Fire Safety 
• Gun Safety
• Special Effects & Stunts
• Traffic Mitigation

Here are some additional resources to help address health & safety on set:

• • Safety Bulletins
  • Traffic Control Manual
  • Utah Performing Arts Safety Manual
  • What to Talk About in a Safety Meeting

Utah-Specific Guidelines

Local cities and counties have the responsibility of enforcing various health & safety laws across Utah. In most cases, productions will need to obtain a filming permit for any location during pre-production. Local requirements can be found on city or county websites and on each permit application.

Even after receiving a permit, other unexpected health & safety hazards may come up. Here are some resources concerning other hazards in Utah:

• Altitude Sickness
• Employee Discrimination & Harassment
• Fire & Practical Effects Licensing
• Extreme Temperatures & Weather Conditions
• Wilderness & Animals
  • USDA Forest Service Outdoor Safety & Ethics
  • Wild Aware (Animal Safety) 
  • Animal and Snake Wranglers in our Utah Crew & Support Services Directory

Utah cast and crew can anonymously report unsafe working conditions, harassment, and other problems to the Utah Film Commission anonymously. We have created a downloadable QR code for productions to post on set to encourage crew to reach out to our office with any questions or concerns; this is especially helpful for smaller film sets without a formal HR department. 

Still Have Questions?

The safest sets are the ones where all cast and crew stay alert, follow safety procedures, and work together. If you or others are ever put in a dangerous situation, remember to speak up. At the end of the day we all just want to make movies, so stay aware of potentially unsafe situations and avoid them with proper planning.

For more details about health & safety requirements in Utah, reach out to the Utah Film Commission.