Safety and risk assessment guidance
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Safety and risk assessment guidance
We are a safety critical company, committed to the health and wellbeing of our staff, contractors, passengers and visitors. Everyone has the right to get home safe every day and as such, we insist on safe working. We take our responsibility seriously. As visiting filmmakers you are required to as well. You can read more about our safety vision here.
Railway environments carry their own risks and we've put some information together on what rules you need to know, as well as things to think about when writing your risk assessment.
Where should I start?
- Watch our Golden Rules video below. This illustrates some of the more common 'dos and don'ts' to be aware of when filming with us.
- Review our house rules and suggestions of what to consider in the drop-down beneath.
- Write your risk assessment. Remember, to be valid it needs to be activity and site specific. It will need to detail your intentions, when and where they are to take place and with what equipment. Potential hazards, as well as who is at risk and why, need to be identified as do the mitigations you'll put in place to manage them. You'll also need to tell us who on production will monitor risk levels and developing hazards during the shoot.
Further guidance on risk assessments can be sought from 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.
TIP: Our managers can be presented with dozens of risk assessments each week. For this reason they need to be given clear information. Your risk assessment is more likely to be accepted if you explicitly state what you won’t be doing or using. For instance, if you are only using a camera and tripod, you can state "No other equipment will be used", as it makes it clear that you aren't going to be introducing any other potential hazards.
Click the below drop-down list to view our house rules and suggestions.
The following house rules apply and need to be addressed in your risk assessment :
- Sign-in - all crew must sign-in and receive a safety brief before starting work. In stations, this is usually done at the Station or Contractor’s Reception and we recommend crews arrive 30 minutes early to allow enough time for this. Valid official photo ID is required. All those who signed in must sign out on departure. For large groups, a simpler sign-in can be considered. In such cases, an additional 'toolbox talk' needs be delivered to the cast and crew by the 1st AD or equivalent.
- ID cards - Any ID cards, lanyards or passes issued must be worn at all times or shown on demand by any station or security staff or member of the British Transport Police (BTP).
- PPE - Suitable PPE must be worn for the site and activity, including the loading in and out of equipment. In stations, high-visibility vests must be worn as a minimum.
- Responsible person - A location manager or similar senior person must be present on the shoot day to oversee all activities and to liaise with us regarding all aspects of safety and security.
The following house rules apply and need to be addressed in your risk assessment :
- All persons and equipment must be at least 1.5 metres away from platform edges.
- All persons and equipment must be at least 3.0 metres away from overhead line equipment (OLE).
- When filming on or near station platforms, all persons and equipment must withdraw as trains arrive, platforms announced, or prior to departure.
- Equipment must not be operated on either escalators or staircases unless specifically permitted (see High-risk equipment and activity).
- Equipment must not exceed head height unless specifically permitted (see High-risk equipment and activity).
- Equipment must not overhang edges, such as balconies, bridge or elevated walkways.
The following house rules apply and need to be addressed in your risk assessment :
- Only essential equipment can be brought on site.
- Equipment and personal belongings must be manned at all times. Nothing can be left unattended.
- Trolleys and Magliners must be placed in pre-agreed areas, surrounded by retractable belt (TENSA) barriers unless otherwise agreed. Wheel-brakes must be applied or have wheels chocked when not in motion.
- If any member of the cast and crew sees anything suspicious, they must immediately inform a member of staff or the British Transport Police (BTP). In an emergency always call 999.
The following house rules apply and need to be addressed in your risk assessment :
- All electrical equipment must be Portable Appliance Tested (PAT).
- Equipment must be battery powered with no trailing cables (cable runs are only considered to within 'closed sets').
- Playback monitors must be handheld, battery powered and wireless.
- Spotters/back watchers must be used for all moving camera shots (e.g. handheld/steadicam).
- Use of flash is not allowed on platforms or within view of the operational railway.
Additionally :
Dolly & track
Smaller camera dollies (e.g. PeeWee/Cobra) are preferred. Camera-track is rarely accepted in stations unless within a 'closed set'. Risers and mounts can be used as long as they do not constitute working at height (see High-risk equipment and activity).
Consider: How you will ensure the dolly does not roll off a platform or collide with other station users?
Handheld reflectors
Are defined as no larger than 1.2m2, must not have silver/gold/green/red surfaces.
Consider: How you will ensure lighting/reflections of light will not dazzle incoming/outgoing train drivers and/or block signals?
Lighting
Due to the distraction caused to train drivers and/or signals, lighting is not allowed on platforms or in view of the operational railway without a filming chaperone.
Consider: How you will ensure lighting/reflections of light will not dazzle incoming/outgoing train drivers and/or obscure signals?
Should any of the above activity be expected, you must ensure the above rules are followed and cover this in your risk assessment.
Network Rail considers the equipment and activities listed below to be 'high-risk'. Permissions are rarely granted but any requests will be subject to discussions during site visits, followed by detailed risk assessments and method statements, and where relevant (stations only) an F5.04B form. If you wish to use any of the below, then in certain situations / locations you may be asked to consult a 'competent person' at the production's expense.
Blue/Green screen (chroma key/colour-separation overlay)
Green-coloured screens are not allowed to face rail lines as they can cause a distraction to train drivers. Requests will need to show what mitigations will be in place to ensure the screen will not fall over following a collision or high wind speeds. See Working at height below.
Camera crane/jib
Unless operating within a 'closed set', equipment will need to be built off-site and wheeled in. Cranes/jibs capable of operating over 2.4 metres in height will not be allowed into areas where overhead line equipment is present, including platforms. Requests will need to show what mitigations, such as slew restrictors, will be in place to ensure safety. See Working at height below.
Dressing/props
Dressing and bespoke props need to be built using zero-fire rated materials, or treated to reach this standard. We will need to approve all dressing/props in advance, with risk assessments and drawings submitted.
Filming above head-height (inc. camera mounts/risers)
Pending risk assessments, a maximum height of 2.4 metres is allowable where overhead line equipment is present, including platforms.
Filming on escalators/staircases
A safety case must to be made to demonstrate why filming on escalators/staircases cannot be achieved in any other way. Consideration needs to be given to specific mitigations to avoid falls and the PPE required.
Freestanding scaffolds/tents (e.g. blackouts/reflectors/silks etc.)
Unless operating within a 'closed set', equipment will need to be built off-site and wheeled in. Freestanding scaffolds/tents over 2.4 metres in height will not be allowed in areas where overhead line equipment is present, including platforms. Requests will need to demonstrate what mitigations will be in place to ensure the screen will not fall over following a collision or high wind speeds.
Ladder/ladder-pod/stepladder (inc. two/three-step)
Must be made of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). See Working at height below.
LPG/gas containers
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) or other gas equipment (such as paraffin burners) are not allowed on our sites.
Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWPs)
Generally not allowed within stations during operational hours. See Working at height below.
Power (generators/local)
Only solid-state battery and diesel generators can be considered. Access to local power can only be arranged in certain circumstances and requires the booking of a Network Rail electrician.
SFX
Subject to the effect being used, most are only allowed within 'closed sets' and only where they do not cause a distraction to train drivers.
Stunts
Subject to the stunt being performed, most are only allowed within 'closed sets' and only where they do not cause a distraction to train drivers.
Video village
Generally only permitted in 'closed sets'.
Working at height (i.e. any working above ground level)
A safety case must be made to demonstrate why working at height is required and the shot cannot be achieved in any other way. Consideration needs to be given to specific mitigations to avoid falls and the PPE needed.
'Closed' sets
Operational stations cannot be fully closed for filming or photography and access must be maintained at all times. It is rarely possible to accommodate a ‘closed set’.
Filming in Progress signage
Enough ‘filming in progress’ signs should be provided where required / when necessary. Only the specific wording below can be used :
- 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.
Location infrastructure
Requests to change fixtures or fittings or signage must be made and agreed in advance. No permissions can be given on the day. Under no circumstances should any attempt be made to blank or obscure any safety signs, railway or other signals, or otherwise interfere with equipment provided for safety.
Manual handling
Consideration needs to be given to the equipment/kit being brought in and crew must adhere to Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHOR). Trolleys and magliners should be moved by a minimum of two persons.
Rubbish/refuse
All bin liners must be clear/transparent - no black, white or other coloured liners can be used. Regular roving collections of waste are preferred, although pop-up bins are allowed if they are guarded at all times. Any failure to do this may result in the bins being removed and destroyed by the BTP.