This WorkSafeBC booklet describes the safe methods of handling all types of asbestos-containing materials. It discusses suitable work procedures for the removal, enclosure, and encapsulation of friable asbestos materials.
Updated to include Regulatory changes that came into effect on May 1, 2017. This version reflects the following updates:
The placement of equipment such as ladders, scaffold, booms, forklifts, aerial lifts, sets, cranes or other rigging, or any activity where any part of an employee’s body will come closer than the minimum approach distance set forth in Table 1 below shall be prohibited.
If you don’t know the voltage of a power line, stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet) contact BC Hydro at 1-877-520-1355 to verify your limit of approach.
Identifying Transmission Towers
The image to the right may help you in identifying what kind of voltage may be flowing in the wires above your head.
! ATTENTION
Alert fellow workers immediately if equipment is in danger of coming too close to power lines. Notify a supervisor or studio safety representative if something needs to be corrected.
Why so many wires?
There can be many different types of cables running between typical utility poles. But what cables are carrying what voltage? Which ones should I stay clear of? The image to the right explains what the different cables are on a utility pole.
Prior to the day of shooting, a production representative should be designated to review the location and determine if obvious safety hazards exist. This designated person is often the Locations Manager or Assistant Locations Manager. The facility/site representative is often a good resource for determining possible hazards. The following should be determined prior to prep and shooting:
Review any previous hazard assessments that have been performed for the location.
Review or obtain engineering reports and/or blueprints for any possible structural/weight loading issues.
Review any pre-written emergency procedures for the location.
Obtain names and contact information of facility/site representatives
Determine the possibility of severe weather conditions.
Determine whether cast and crew will be exposed to water hazards.
Determine whether there are Hazardous Materials on-site. If so, ensure they are properly and securely stored and there are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) immediately available at the location.
Determine whether there are Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) or lead paint present. If there are, determine the possibility of exposure by cast and crew.
Identify any potential walking surface hazards.
Determine areas that should be off-limits to cast and crew and ensure barriers are placed and/or “Keep Out” signs are posted.
Ensure any exits, corridors and stairs are properly illuminated.
Ensure guardrails/handrails are in-place on any elevated platforms and steps.
Determine whether any confined spaces will be used.
Determine whether supplementary ventilation will be necessary.
Identify potential live electrical hazards.
Determine whether fire protection equipment (Extinguishers etc.) are available, serviceable, and updated. (Class C extinguishers should be available next to electrical panels/equipment).
Determine whether sprinkler systems are active and ensure heads are not obstructed.
Determine whether security will be required.
Ensure adequate lighting will be available when prepping/shooting at night.
Determine the level of first aid that will be required for the location.
Determine if traffic control will be necessary.
Determine whether Actsafe Safety Bulletins or Fact Sheets will need to be posted on call sheets.
Ensure adequate flush or chemical toilets with hand-washing facilities will be made available for all employees on location.
Safety Considerations on the Day of Shooting:
Ensure the WorkSafeBC “Notice of Project” and the AHJ filming permit is posted in a common area of the location.
Ensure that required production safety notifications/manuals are available on set.
The 1st Assistant Director must conduct a safety meeting prior to shooting to communicate the safety/emergency plan, any hazards associated with the location and any production generated hazards (stunts, special effects etc).
According to WorkSafeBC, all workers on a location are considered “new workers” and must be specifically oriented to that location. SHAPE has created a checklist that ensures that each worker has been properly oriented. These orientations must be documented either on the checklists or on the daily production report.
Ensure exterior fire lanes are kept clear.
For interior locations, ensure a clear path of egress is kept to all exits.
Ensure and adequate supply of safe drinking water is readily available to all employees on location.
Ensure holding areas are properly heated and ventilated with suitable emergency escapes and seating capacity.
Cast and crew exposed to long hours in adverse exterior conditions (heat or cold stress) should be provided with appropriate items to combat such adverse conditions (ie., temporary shelter, heated washroom facilities, temporary heating devices, hot shots, hot drinks, blankets, adequate fluids, etc.) See Appendix B.
Ensure all cables and similar items are channeled neatly and safely.
All portable electric heaters used must be equipped with safety tip-over switches.
All winnies, honeywagons, temporary wardrobe units, etc. must be operated and properly set-up by qualified persons (driver/operator).
Permitting:
Forward your Registration Form to all jurisdictions in which the production will be filming (ie. City of Vancouver Film Office, or City of Burnaby Film Office). Visit their websites for Guidelines and Procedures.
Outline any special effects or gunfire associated with the proposed location (note: approvals for these activities may take extra time to process).
Additional Reference:
Regional Health Authorities and the BC Health Act Food Premises Regulation Craft Service Vehicles, which include but are not limited to trailers, converted motor homes, or other self-contained units, may be required to meet the description of a Food Service Establishment as defined in the BC Food Premises Regulation. For this reason, the owner/operator of the vehicle must apply to the local Health Authority for approval and to obtain a valid “Permit to Operate”. http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec/contacts.html
Actsafe Actsafe is the not-for-profit association dedicated to the promotion of health and safety in the motion picture, theatre, music and other performing arts industries. Actsafe operates through two Standing Committees that represent the Motion Picture and the Performing Arts communities respectively. https://www.actsafe.ca 604.733.4682
Please Note: it is currently required that an experienced community film liaison with overdose (OD) intervention training be hired when filming on the DTES.
In 2017 the City of Vancouver experienced an overdose crisis largely in the DTES. Fentanyl-laced drugs are commonplace and, therefore, more people are choosing to do drugs in public spaces (streets, alleys) where they are more likely to be noticed and receive life-saving help.
Productions filming in the DTES should:
take note of and immediately notify authorities of people in crisis,
clear impediments to any volunteer or emergency agency providing assistance to those in crisis and:
be aware that witnessing and/or helping with overdoses can potentially be traumatic to production staff. the Director’s Guild of Canada (DGC) will be working with DTES outreach workers to revise training and education material regarding this issue.
This is applicable to filming North of Pender and South of Railway and East of Columbia, West of Princess.
The City of Vancouver and DGC believe these measures are in the best immediate and long-term interests of the industry and the DTES residents and it’s outreach organizations. The DGC location Caucus will help productions connect with providers of liaison services. The City of Vancouver reserves the right to apply this requirement in other adjacent or identified areas at its discretion.
Please contact Sandi Swanigan, Senior Manager of Film and Special Events, sandi.swanigan@vancouver.ca with questions or comments.
This safety bulletin offers guidelines for the safe operation of traditional camera cars and camera boom vehicles used on set in production environments. All camera boom vehicles are subject to all requirements outlined in the Camera Cars Motion Picture Bulletin.
Created in collaboration with the stunt community, Actsafe’s new fillable Stunt Safety Plan helps ensure the safety of your stunt workers when planning and revising stunt sequences.
Actsafe Safety Association would like to acknowledge and honour that our workplace and classrooms are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Qayqayt, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), and Stz’uminus peoples.
Actsafe is a not-for-profit health and safety association supporting British Columbia’s arts and entertainment industries.