Inspections. The very word can evoke an endless array of questions. What do we need to inspect? When do they need to be done? How do we do them? Who does them? Can anyone help me with this? Well, hopefully I’ll be able to shed some light on these questions. Let’s start at the beginning, […]
Liability. Wes Jenkins, Senior Partner, Down Stage Right Industries Ltd Now that I have your attention, I want to briefly share my thoughts on rigging inspections and best practices. Rigging inspections are required by various provincial, national, and international codes and standards as well as responding to industry best practices. They reduce the […]
Everybody knows that performing an inspection can be overwhelming. Whether you are a safety specialist or new to performing inspections, you may not know how to start the process and properly analyze the environment around you. Natalli Dias, Motion Picture Safety Advisor, Actsafe Safety Associaton In some cases, you may have an inspection form […]
There are many different types of workplaces within B.C.’s performing arts and motion picture industries. Because of this diversity of work, and the environments in which the work is done, it is critical to conduct regular health and safety inspections to help prevent workplace incidents. Kim Stubbs, OHS Consultant, WorkSafeBC Performing arts may include theatre, […]
This quarter’s theme is Inspections. Every workplace knows the cost of a workplace incident. It can take weeks for the person hurt to return to work, or for the piece of equipment to be replaced. There is of course no way to ensure with one hundred percent certainty that this won’t happen but, to minimize the […]
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Actsafe Safety Association’s STAR System — our safety training and records system. If you would like to register for Actsafe’s courses and workshops, you first need to create a STAR System profile. Contact us by phone, email or instant messaging if you have any further questions! General Courses & […]
It’s a cold, grey morning and Andres is prepped and ready for a long day of location scouting. With a hot coffee in tow, he sets out on the streets of East Vancouver, hoping to spot a few perfect storefronts for a key scene. Instead, Andres spots – and almost steps on – something much […]
What a wild journey we have all been on since the arrival of SARSCov- 2 in early 2020. Casting my mind back, I remember hearing reports of a deadly virus in China. Shortly afterward I began hearing about its detection in a variety of European countries with it moving swiftly toward us as Spring Break […]
When it comes to performing sex acts in mainstream media, we are limited by what we can show on camera. Kissing remains the only sex act we ask actors to perform and not simulate (with the exception of performers who prefer kiss-masking over non-simulated lip-locking). However, kissing is one of the more dangerous requests we […]
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces plays an important part in reducing the spread of COVID-19. In the arts and entertainment industries, surfaces can include cameras, rigging equipment, costumes, and props. Workers who use cleaning products may risk chemical exposure that can cause injury. Many cleaning disinfectants contain chemicals that are dangerous if not used as directed. […]
Prior to 2020, biological hazards (also commonly known as ‘biohazards’) were typically thought of as a risk for individuals working in health care, laboratories, food services, and sanitation. Biological hazards in these settings have well recognized policies and procedures to ensure workers’ health and safety. Now that we are in the midst of a […]
The Actsafe Entertainment Safety Conference is kicking off this Friday and this monthly updates will get you up to speed on what is coming up including sessions, our trade show, and this year’s social event. This month Don Parman was interviewed about the performing arts industry during the pandemic, Anand Kanna’s session at the Whistler Film Festival is available […]
This quarter’s theme is Biological Hazards Biological hazards are at forefront of everyone’s minds since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. What are they? How do we minimize the risks from them in our homes and in our workplaces? What biohazards can be found on production? In this edition of Safety Scene, we answer these […]
As 2020 comes to a close, we want to share with you some final updates for the year including that registration is now open for the Actsafe Entertainment Safety Conference! You can register today for as low as $0. You will also find out the winners of our Actsafe Gives Back initiative, information on the […]
We want to thank everyone who nominated themselves or others for one of our Actsafe Gives Back safety training packages. We had an overwhelming response which, with a limited budget, made for a very difficult decision-making process. The winners were announced in our monthly update email in January 2021. Please watch this space for Actsafe’s […]
Actsafe has curated a list of WorkSafeBC resources to guide employers through occupational health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources can help ensure appropriate protocols are in place to protect workers and patrons. Important: The Workplace Safety Order and Gatherings and Events Order expired on April 8, 2022. The Provincial Health Officer no […]
Everything we do – be it building a set, filming, or unloading a truck – takes place in a system that includes the physical and organizational environment and the equipment and tools to perform the task. Ergonomics is the study of how people interact within all these system elements with the goal of optimizing well-being […]
From grips to performers, costumers to carpenters, and everyone in between, the film industry is a demanding one, involving long hours, hard work, and erratic schedules. Fatigue is often the norm, not the exception. – Mike Harnett, President, Solaris Fatigue Management But when we talk about work-related injuries, we tend to focus only on the […]
Ever had a pain in the neck? Well, ergonomics is a science that tries to design places and activities around cast and crew to reduce pains like that. It recognizes that everyone is different and because of these differences they may not relate the same way to pillows, work signage, tools, equipment, and spaces. Ergonomics […]
Ergonomics can generally be defined as the study of people in their working environment. The goal with ergonomics is to design or modify the work to fit the worker, and therefore eliminate discomfort and decrease risk of injury due to work. In the world of dance, where the work is creating art and the tool […]
To better understand ergonomics as a systems science let us start by understanding an example. – Manu Nellutla, CCPE, CPHSA. Executive Director, Actsafe Safety Association A computer programmer has been complaining about back pain to his supervisor. His supervisor researches and gets the programmer an ‘ergonomic’ chair. After a few weeks of use, the programmer […]
Actsafe is partnering with SafetyLine to offer Actsafe’s members an additional 50% off select services. Do you have staff who work alone and you’re concerned for their safety while out on the job? Maybe they’re working in isolation at night? Or, do you have workers performing jobs in potentially dangerous situations? We have good news. […]
Actsafe is partnering with SafetyLine to offer Actsafe’s members an additional 50% off select services. Do you have staff who work alone and you’re concerned for their safety while out on the job? Maybe they’re working in isolation at night? Or, do you have workers performing jobs in potentially dangerous situations? We have good news. […]
Over the past few years, there has been much-required attention on the mental health of our nation, our communities, and – quite frankly – our industry. We’re now taking seriously how to take care of our own mental health and that of the people around us in our increasingly complex world. Systems are racing to […]
When I was in high school, everyone joked that I was a great therapist. My friends would always come and talk to me about their problems. Siblings, relationships, assignments, no matter what, they turned to me to be their sounding board. To them I was known as “The Ear”. – Anand Kanna, Manager of Motion […]