Unit 10 - Awareness of Health and Safety in the Creative Media Sector

(10.1) Understand the relevant health and safety regulations in the creative media sector

1.1 Describe key elements of health and safety regulations, relevant to working in the Creative Media Sector

Policies and procedures - It’s important that we have these in place and that risk assessments are regularly updated. 

Organisation - To ensure measures are taken to avoid potential hazards, such as taping down wires and keeping liquids away from electronic equipment. 

Correct lifting procedures - Especially as where I work we do a lot of roadie duties, it’s important that we lift equipment correctly and safely. 

Safe usage of electronics - Using equipment safely and being trained on how to use it correctly. 

1.2 Explain safe working practices for a specific job role in the Creative Media Sector

As a Creative and Digital Media Apprentice, my duties can vary. I help out mainly with the art sessions, sometimes I do filming work. I recently assisted at the filming of a council meeting. It’s important that all the wires are taped down securely so nobody is at risk of tripping. When setting up cameras and tripods, we need to make sure we are not in the way or blocking any exits. Whenever we need to use lighting, people are aware of the lights getting hot and we make sure they have fully cooled before packing away. In the art sessions, we need to be aware of young people using sharp items such as craft knives, or anything that can get hot. Also supervising them when they are online to ensure they are safe and not on websites they shouldn’t be on. With roadie duties and setting up for Music nights, there is a lot of heavy lifting involved so it’s important that we lift things correctly. If something is extra heavy it takes more than one person. We also make sure no equipment is blocking any exits. While we have our main areas to focus on, we are watchful of hazards in general for simple things, such as spillages. 

1.3 Describe the main employer responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act

By law it is essential that employers create and carry out risk assessments. These should be carried out at the address of the organisation and all risks should be recorded. It is down to the employer to train employees on how to deal with risks and hazards. They should also ensure that their employees know how they are protected. It is their duty to consult their employees on any health and safety issues. They must make sure that their employees are protected against anything that can cause harm to themselves and others. 

(10.2) Be able to comply with relevant health and safety procedures

2.1 Describe the differences between hazards and risks

Hazards are things that are considered a danger and risks are things that could potentially lead to the result of a hazard. There are many risks and hazards in the workplace, probably more than we are aware of. The content of these will vary depending on the job. For example, a roadie would need to be aware of heavy lifting procedures and the safe usage of electronic equipment. All organisations should have Health and Safety policies and procedures. 

2.2  Carry out a Risk Assessment/

2.3 Report identified hazards and risks to appropriate parties/

2.4 Suggest ways of reducing risks to health and safety in a specific Creative Media job role

Organisation - Donut Creative Arts Studio

Activity/Workshop - Artbox/ Art Studio

Department - Children’s Services

All us apprentices have been given the job of creating a risk assessment in each of the areas we are mainly in charge of. We have been told to complete the main parts and we are all going to finish them properly as a group, as our employer is still teaching us on how to do them. It has made us all more aware of health and safety and its importance. So far we haven’t needed to report any hazards as such. Sometimes the young people get a bit carried away, but only on small things rather than anything fatal. However, we still warn them of the dangers and supervise them. If anything fatal did occur in say one of the art sessions, I would report it straight away to my line manager, who also runs those sessions. 

In our place of work, our main way of reducing risks is as simple as just being tidy and organised. Due to the nature of what we do, we often face clutter, whether it be instruments and music setups, or if we’ve had a show on the previous night and there are still tables and chairs scattered about, these obstacles could block exits. Normally we have a caretaker to clear them away, but he leaves all the electronic equipment to us. We have to be aware of when he’s in, so if he has a day off, it is then down to us to ensure that everything is put away safely and that there is easy access around the building and to all exits.