Blog article for The Fight Arranger
A production company has a legal and moral duty to protect its crew, actors, and stunt performers—but everyone on set shares that responsibility. Having spent 22 years in the film industry alongside a background as an ex-firefighter, I’ve learned that common sense alone isn't enough in high-risk environments. Every scene brings unique hazards, from performer fatigue and stunt harness setups to pyrotechnics and unpredictable weather. Thorough script breakdowns and early risk profiling don't just prevent serious injury; they protect your budget and reputation. When production companies plan intelligently, safety doesn't slow down the creative process; it keeps the show moving forward.
About the project
Health and Safety in Filming: Why It Matters More Than Ever
Health and safety in filming is always a hot topic, but now it’s red hot due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A production company is generally the ‘employer’ of crew, actors, and stunt performers, so it’s their responsibility to ensure a proper safety policy is in place. But it doesn’t stop there; producers, Production Managers, Directors, and crew members all have a duty of care. (That’s me performing a stunt in Gangs of London alongside Stunt Coordinator Jude Poyer!)
Why write this article? Simply to give you basic insights into production safety. I’ve spent over 22 years in the film industry and hold qualifications in TV & Film Safety Management. As an ex-firefighter with the London Fire Brigade, assessing hazards and emergency situations was my everyday job. Safety is an ongoing learning process, and hopefully, you find this useful.
The industry faces added challenges today. Hygiene and protection add time and cost to budgets, but these extra pressures from social distancing are temporary. Production companies shouldn’t be scared; they just need extra planning.
Safety responsibilities are moral, legal, and economic. Different locations bring different laws, and every single scene presents fresh risk factors.
This leads me to the most important element: planning.
While a lot of health and safety is common sense, common sense alone isn’t enough. Good communication starts in pre-production. Script breakdowns allow Stunt or Fight Coordinators to analyse action scenes for performers, budgets, and safety.
At a glance, every production needs:
Planning, policies, procedures, and proper insurance.
Script breakdowns, risk assessments, and risk profiling.
Documentation, monitoring, and regular reviews.
All the planning in the world can’t eliminate accidents entirely, but it drastically reduces the chances.
A proper risk assessment evaluates hazards, identifies who could get hurt, determines who controls high-risk areas (like explosives technicians), and records findings. Key considerations include locations, weather changes, performer fatigue, temporary wiring, props, weapons, harnessing, fire risks, and contractor procedures.
Negligence can cause serious injury, ruin reputations, and lead to prosecution. The process might seem overwhelming, but when production companies adapt procedures to suit their show, everyone stays safe.
