Safety guidance
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Safety guidance
The railway carries high risks. As such, we're 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 the same when filming with us. You can read more about our safety vision here.
When you make an application, you'll need to provide us with a risk assessment of your activities. We've put some helpful information together on what rules you need to know, as well as things to think about when writing it. 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 too. To get you started, we've listed the simple steps you need to follow below :
- watch our golden rules video below. It sets out some of the common DOs and DON'Ts when filming with us. Although it's primarily for station filming, most rules will apply to all shoots
- review our house rules and suggestions in the drop-downs beneath the video. You'll need to add all those that apply into your risk assessment
- write your risk assessment. Getting this right is essential as it proves to us that your shoot will be safe. Remember to keep it site specific. Risk assessment is an ongoing process and someone senior will still need to continually monitor risk levels during the shoot.
TOP TIP : It helps to really be clear. Sometimes this can be as simple as telling us what you're not doing. For example, if you're only using a camera and tripod, make sure you add "no other equipment will be used".
For further help on writing risk assessments, visit the HSE. If you don't feel confident writing your own risk assessment you should consult a safety reviewer or similar who'll know what hazards to identify and what control measures to put in place.
Click the below drop-down list to view our house rules.
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 and clothing
All crew need to wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) relevant to the task required. As a minimum, high-visibility vests need to be worn at all times and footwear must cover toes (including during load-in and out), although sturdy shoes are recommended. Any form of works, inc. prep/strike, rigging and moving of large/heavy objects, will require safety shoes. Legs must be fully covered when working in stations.
Responsible person
A location manager or more senior person needs to supervise all on site 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 covered in your risk assessment :
- Only essential equipment is permitted on site
- Equipment and personal belongings must be attended to at all times
- Trolleys and magliners must not be moved by less than two persons
- Where permitted, trolleys and magliners must be placed in pre-agreed areas surrounded either by retractable belt (e.g. TENSA), or road safety (chapter 8) barriers
- Wheel-brakes must be applied when not being moved
- Trolleys or magliners without wheel-brakes (see image) must not be used on platforms. This follows an incident where a trolley rolled onto train tracks at a station and an entire shoot was cancelled. Any trolleys or magliners that are permitted must be parked parallel to the tracks.
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 :
Boom poles
Poles used for sound recording, lighting, etc., whether extended or collapsed, are not permitted on platforms or in areas where overhead line equipment (OLE) is present - this includes overhead lines, pylons and other earthing 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. Where agreed you'll require a staff chaperone.
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.
Balloons for lighting or props
Helium balloons used for lighting or props are not permitted in our stations or near to any overhead line equipment (OLE).
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 or secure area, your equipment will need to be built off-site and wheeled in. The entire footprint (including boom arm) must be within an exclusion zone at all times. 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
Covering of safety signage or operational equipment is not permitted. Dressing and props need to have a zero-fire rating and we'll ask to see your safety certificates. Anything large, such as flattage or inflatables, will need to be assembled or prepared either offsite or in pre-agreed areas.
Consider: How will larger items be secured to avoid collapse or unintentional movement?
Escalators and staircases
Not all our locations support filming on escalators and staircases. In locations where it can be considered, you'll need to submit a safe system of work and demonstrate why your shot can't be achieved another way.
Consider: What precautions would the camera team take to avoid falling or tripping in the event that the escalators stop suddenly? How they will be supported whilst mounting, riding and dismounting to avoid other passengers? What other measures you will put in place to ensure passengers and public don’t interfere with the camera operator? How the activity will be tested by the camera team to make sure the activity is safe? How any learnings will be adapted into adjustments of how the activity? What clothing and footwear will be worn by the operator in order to retain grip, and be protected in the event of a fall or stumble?
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.
Height restrictions
Equipment or props should avoid exceeding head height when on station platforms. Subject to risk assessments, heights of up to 2.4 metres can be considered in certain instances.
Ladders, ladder-pods and stepladders (including two/three-step)
Ladders are generally unfavoured as a method of working at height. Where agreed, they must be made of non-conductive material such as 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 or gases such as helium.
Mobile elevated work platform (MEWPs)/Scaffold Towers
We generally don't allow these items within stations during operational hours. See also working at height below.
Power (generators and local)
We generally allow solid-state batteries such as Instagrids or Voltstacks, etc. Diesel generators are rarely permitted. You can access local power in certain circumstances but you'll need to our electricians to oversee your activity.
Special effects / Smoke machines
We generally only allow special effects within closed-sets away from operational areas. We'll want to be sure there's no chance of train drivers being distracted, or passengers alarmed. Only water-based smoke machines will be considered.
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)
Working at height should be avoided wherever possible. Should it be needed, you'll need to demonstrate clearly why it can't be done any other way. Detail what safety measures and PPE you'll put in place to avoid falls and toppling.
Consider: Can a MEWP be used instead? What safe system of work will be used for working at height to take place?
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.
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.
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.
Platform hire
Platforms can occasionally be hired for exclusive use. Side platforms (those only accessible by a single train) are generally preferred due to availability and safety considerations. Island platforms (where trains run either side) are only considered on rare occasions. In all circumstances, one or more trains will need to be chartered into the platform(s) to prevent scheduled trains accessing the space. Train bookings need to be agreed with third-parties who will need to arrange platform access on your behalf.
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.