Safety guidance
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Safety guidance
We are a safety critical company, committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff, contractors, passengers and visitors. We take our responsibility seriously and expect you to do so too. You can read more about our safety vision here.
The railway carries high risks. We've put some information together below on what rules you need to know, as well as things to think about when writing your risk assessment. COVID-19 has brought added challenges, so you'll need to evidence what industry guidance you'll be following and what additional measures you'll put in place.
- watch our golden rules video below. It sets out some of the common DOs and DON'Ts
- review our house rules and suggestions beneath. You'll need to add those that apply into your risk assessment
- write your risk assessment. Getting this right is essential as it shows us your shoot can be safe. Remember to keep it site specific. Risk assessment is an ongoing process and someone senior will need to monitor risk levels during the shoot.
For help on writing risk assessments, visit the HSE. If you don't feel confident writing your own risk assessment you should consult a competent person who will know what hazards to identify and what control measures to put in place.
TOP TIP: It helps to be clear about what you're doing. For example, if you're only using a camera and tripod, write "No other equipment will be used".
Click the below drop-down list to view our house rules.
Filming and photography is permitted on our property as long as the relevant COVID-19 production guidance is followed, and this is clearly detailed on your risk assessments. The links below set out which guide is applicable to your production :
Advertising Producers Association for commercials and stills
British Film Commission for feature films and high end TV drama
Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television for UK TV broadcast content
When applying, you'll need to demonstrate on your risk assessment(s) what steps you'll be taking to be compliant with your industry guidance (for instance, reduced crews, social distancing, etc). Current legislation also makes it mandatory for all crew (including performers) to wear face coverings when inside station buildings, without a valid exemption.
The following house rules apply and need to be covered in your risk assessment :
Safety brief
All cast and crew need to complete an online safety brief before the shoot day. We'll send you a unique link a few days beforehand.
Sign-in
Production leads (locations / HoDs) need to sign-in in person on arrival at the location. In stations, this is usually done at the Station or Contractor’s Reception. As it can get busy, we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early. Valid official photo ID is required and those who sign-in must sign-out on departure.
ID cards
All crew need to wear ID when on site. Those issued with station passes must wear them. Other crew will need to wear a lanyard with company ID.
PPE
Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn, including when loading in and out. All crew need to wear high-visibility vests and face coverings as a minimum.
Responsible person
A location manager or more senior person needs to supervise all activities and needs to liaise with us on safety and security.
The following house rules apply and need to be covered in your risk assessment :
- cast, crew and equipment must be at least 1.5 metres away from platform edges
- cast, crew and equipment must be at least 3 metres away from overhead line equipment (OLE)
- platforms must be kept clear as trains arrive, depart or are announced
- equipment must not be used on escalators of staircases
- equipment must not exceed head height
- equipment must not overhang edges, such as balconies, bridges or elevated walkways.
The following house rules apply and need to be addressed in your risk assessment :
- only essential equipment is allowed on site
- equipment and personal belongings must be attended to at all times
- trolleys and magliners must be placed in pre-agreed areas, surrounded by retractable belt (TENSA) barriers
- wheel-brakes must be applied, or wheels chocked when not in use.
The following house rules apply and need to be covered in your risk assessment :
- electrical equipment must be portable appliance tested (PAT)
- electrical equipment must be battery powered with no trailing cables; cable runs are only considered on closed-sets
- playback monitors must be handheld, battery powered and wireless
- spotters or back watchers must be used during moving camera shots, such as handheld or Steadicam
- flash lighting is not allowed on platforms or within the view of trains.
Additional standard equipment :
Dolly and track
Smaller camera dollies, such as PeeWee or Cobra dollies are preferred. Camera-dolly track is not generally allowed in stations unless working within a closed-set. Risers and mounts can be used as long as you are not working at height (see high-risk equipment and activity).
Consider: How can you be sure the dolly won't roll off a platform, or collide with other station users?
Handheld reflectors
Reflectors must be less than 1.2 metres2, and cannot have silver or gold surfaces.
Lighting
All lighting needs to be pre-agreed due to the dangers of dazzling train drivers. If it's agreed you'll likely need a staff escort.
Consider: What measures can you put in place to avoid lights dazzling train drivers, or obscuring signals?
We consider the equipment and activities listed below 'high-risk'. Additional permissions will be needed and you may need to hire a "competent person" to help you with the paperwork.
Blue or Green screens
We don't allow green-coloured screens to face the railway as they can distract train drivers. Screens need to have a zero-fire rating. We'll ask to see your safety certificates.
Consider: How you'll secure the screen against collisions or high-winds. See also freestanding scaffolds and tents and working at height below.
Camera cranes and jibs
Unless you're working in a closed-set, your equipment will need to be built off-site and wheeled in. Cranes/jibs which can extend over 2.4 metres will not be allowed in areas with overhead line equipment (OLE).
Consider: How you'll ensure the crane/jib arm doesn't stray. See also working at height below.
Dressing and props
Dressing and props need to have a zero-fire rating. We'll ask to see your safety certificates.
Filming above head-height
Subject to risk assessments, a maximum height of 2.4 metres is allowable.
Filming on escalators and staircases
We rarely allow filming on escalators and staircases. You'll need to demonstrate clearly what you want to do and why it can't be achieved in any other way.
Freestanding scaffolds and tents (such as blackouts, reflectors, silks)
We don't allow freestanding scaffolds or tents in areas with overhead line equipment (OLE). Tents, reflectors and silks will need to have a zero-fire rating. We'll ask to see your safety certificates.
Consider: How you'll secure the screen against collisions or high-winds. See also working at height below.
Ladders, ladder-pods and stepladders (including two/three-step)
Generally not permitted, but when they are they need to be made of glass reinforced plastic (GRP). See also working at height below.
LPG and gas containers
We don't allow liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or other fuels such as paraffin burners.
Mobile elevated work platform (MEWPs)
We generally don't allow this equipment within stations during operational hours. See also working at height below.
Power (generators and local)
We only allow solid-state battery and diesel generators. You can access local power in certain circumstances but you'll need to use on our our electricians.
Special effects
We generally only allow special effects within closed-sets. We'll want to be sure there's no chance of train drivers being distracted, or passengers alarmed.
Stunts
We generally only allow stunts within closed-sets. We'll want to be sure there's no chance of train drivers being distracted, or passengers alarmed.
Video village
We generally only allow these in closed-sets.
Working at height (any working above ground level)
You'll need to demonstrate clearly what you want to do and why it can't be achieved in any other way. Detail what safety measures and PPE you'll put in place to avoid falls and toppling.
Closed-sets
Our stations cannot be fully shut for filming or photography as we need to maintain access for passengers and staff. On rare occasions we can provide partial closures.
Filming in Progress signage
On larger shoots we may ask you to use these. We'll advise you where they should be displayed. Only the wording below can be used, changing the blanks where needed :
- Filming Notice - The producers and crew would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during the preparation/filming of this production. As it is possible your likeness may be filmed, please contact either [insert email] or [insert telephone number] should you not wish your image to be used. Any queries should be directed to either to members of the crew, or station staff. We appreciate your cooperation and thank you for your patience.
Heritage restrictions
Many of our locations are Grade-I or Grade-II listed and heritage restrictions may apply. We'll advise you if this is the case.
Fixtures and fittings
Requests need to be made when you apply. No permissions can be given on the day. You must not cover or obscure any safety signs, railway or other signals, or otherwise interfere with safety equipment.
Manual handling
Trolleys and magliners will need to be moved by a minimum of two persons.
Consider: How your equipment will be brought in.
Rubbish and refuse
All bin liners must be clear or transparent; no black, white or other liners can be used. We prefer roving collections of waste, but pop-up bins are allowed if they are guarded at all times.