MEDIA CENTRE SAFE PRACTICE GUIDANCE SHEET

MAINS LIGHTING ON LOCATION

This safe system of work must be followed by all Camera Operators or others who carry out lighting on location using mains electricity supply.

1)Before use

Before any lamp is issued by the Media Centre it will have been inspected to ensure that it is in a safe condition. However, any equipment can be damaged in transit so when you reach location particular care must be taken to ensure that the safety glass is fitted and in good condition, that the wiring, switch and connectors are secure and undamaged in all respects, that any fixtures are secure and that all screws and clamps on the lamp and its stand are working correctly and without excessive looseness or play. If any of these conditions are not met, the lamp must not be used.

2)Before connection

Before any connection is made the socket with which it is intended to supply power to the lamps must be inspected to see that it is undamaged and in good condition. It must be checked for cracks and security of fixing, any socket, which is defective in any way, must not be used. If external wiring is visible it should be examined for soundness of insulation and suitability for the load. Obviously it will not always be possible to examine the wiring, especially where flush sockets are fitted.

If the socket and wiring appear to be in good condition, the supply should be tested with the mains tester. The tester will indicate whether the polarity of the socket is correct and whether it has a satisfactory earth. In the event that the supply is found to be defective, on no account must it be used. If available, the owner or person in charge should be advised.

Before taking power from a supply, due account must be taken of others who may be using the same supply. Do not, for example, plug in to protected supply in a hospital but ensure that a GS supply is used.

3)Method of connection

The lamps must only be connected using their fitted 13 amp plug tops. These must not be removed under any circumstances and if it is necessary to power from different type of socket, custom made approved adapters must be used.

The lamps must not be powered except via an RCD (Residual Current Device). The RCD must be electrically as close to the supplying socket as possible. Before use, establish that the RCD is functioning correctly by operating the self-test facility. If using the extension lead no more than three 650-watt lamps may be powered at once from the RCD. In the event that the RCD trips the lamp causing the trip should be isolated and must not be used again until a qualified electrician or engineer has rectified the fault.

If lamps are powered from individual sockets, an RCD must be plugged into each outlet used. There should not be more than one RCD in each supply.

Where separate sock outlets are used, they must all be in the same room.

4)Placement of lamps

Adequate time must be allowed for the selection of suitable sites for the safe placement of lamps and for their setting up.

Lamps must be placed so that they do not obstruct entrances, exits or passageways. They must be placed in such a way that there is no risk of them being knocked over and due account must be taken in the placement or the likelihood of any person colliding with the lamp or causing it to fall over.

Stands must be sited on firm, level ground and due account must be taken in selecting the operating height to ensure maximum stability of the lamp.

Particular care must be taken when placing lamps so that any heat generated can do no damage or cause a risk of fire.

Cables must be run so that they do not cross entrances, exists or footways at a level where they would cause any hazard. Any cables, which are flown, must be securely tied off.

In the event that a lamp is knocked over it must be switched off at once, allowed to cool down and not used again until it has been examined to make certain that it meets the criteria in (1) above.

5)Conditions of use

Lamps must only be used for the purpose and in the way for which they were designed. For example, lightweight kits are not designed for use where there is any likelihood of damp, wet, excessive dust or dirt or a corrosive environment. If these conditions are encountered, therefore,

the lightweight kit must not be used since lamps specifically designed for adverse environments would be required.

The user must take into consideration not only current conditions but also any way in which it might be reasonably foreseen that these conditions might change.

6)After use

After use, before lamps are struck, adequate time must be allowed for them to cool down.

7)Maintenance

The only maintenance students are allowed to do is to change bubbles (where appropriate to do so). If it becomes necessary to do this, adequate time must be allowed for the lamp to cool down before the bubble is changed. The condition and type of bubble must be taken into consideration when disposing of the old one.

GUIDELINES FOR ALLOCATORS IN THE USE OF MAINS LIGHTS CARRIED AND SET BY CREWS

Introduction

It is the Student-in-charge / Producer’s responsibility to make the decision as to whether or not to assign an electrician to a particular shoot. This decision should be made in consultation with the camera operator. The following considerations should be borne in mind.

Safety

Before any other factors are taken into consideration, the decision for the camera operator to provide his/her own lighting must not be made unless the assignment can be carried out in accordance with the Safe System of Work for Mains Lighting(as above). This system of work underlines the importance of matching the applicability of the assignment to the method of operation. Specifically, apart from the electrical safety, it draws attention to the way in which the lamps are to be used and the suitability for the purpose.

In making a decision, the Student-in-charge / Producer must give due weight to factors which might reduce the safety of the assignment and which would not be present were an electrician or other assistant to be in attendance. Whilst not being an exhaustive list, any of the following should trigger a thought process.

  • Will the public be present?
  • Will other press be present in large numbers?
  • Will there be children or uncontrolled animals?
  • Is there danger from water or dampness?
  • Is there danger from flammable materials?
  • Could an obstruction of passageways or entrances result?

If any of these or similar conditions exist, more information must be obtained and if there is any doubt at all that the problems will occur, extra assistance should be assigned.

Assignment considerations

The lightweight set is intended to be a basic interview kit. It is expected that its main use will be indoors for set piece work. Outdoor use is not precluded but each head is a maximum of 650 watts, which does not provide much lift on a bright sunny day. Also, the kit is not designed for use in wet or damp conditions and cannot be used in such circumstances without contravening the Electricity at Work Regulations.

Much of the work students undertake will be suitable for the camera operator to light. Typical items would be interviews in private houses or offices or GVs needing a small amount of basic illumination. More advanced lighting can be undertaken providing that adequate time is allowed.

In all cases the Student-in-charge / Producer should make a decision based on the information given on the assignment sheet coupled with any other relevant material. In the event that the assignment cannot be carried out in accordance with the safe system of work, the Student-in-charge / Producer or the camera operator must revise the coverage in such a way as to enable this to take place.

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Mains Lighting on Location – edited 07.09.08