Access/Obstruction It should be self-evident that lighting cases and other equipment should not obstruct doorways and passageways. In the event of a fire such obstacles can result in people dying as they are prevented from making a quick exit from the building. If the shot requires a lamp to be placed in a doorway, that lamp should not be left un-manned and should not be fixed into position. It is the job of the lighting technician manning that Lumiere to remove it from the exit in the event of an emergency. The lighting technician will not be available for other duties until the obstruction has been removed.
Trip Hazards Using location lighting, by its very nature, results in numerous lengths of cable being strewn across the set. Proximity to mains outlets and the power demands of the lights themselves may require additional cabling running from external power sources, across or through public areas, to the location itself. These cables provide significant hazards to cast, crew and members of the public. Cables running from the power source to the set/location should be laid with due consideration given to the reduction/elimination of trip hazards. Route cables along the base of walls or within gullies or trenches where these are available, or hang the cable from overhead structures. Where cables have to cross a passageway outdoors they should be covered with a rubber cable protector. Indoors, cables should be taped along their length wherever they cross doorways or passageways. It is not acceptable to use small pieces of tape laid across the cable at intervals. The correct tape to use is Yellow Gaffer tape. Where Yellow Gaffa tape is not available, regular black or silver Gaffer may be used but it should be overlaid with black and yellow hazard tape to make it visible. Hazard tape is low tack and therefore not suitable for securing the cable to the floor directly. Within the set itself, it is not practical to tape the cables down. Here it is only necessary to ensure that cast and crew are aware of the presence of such cables.
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| 300 Watt Gulliver 800 Watt Redhead 2000 Watt Blonde |
Stability Lighting fixtures are inherently top heavy and therefore unstable with a tendency to fall over quite easily. On set, where cables are not taped down, lamps falling over pose a significant risk to cast and crew, with the possibility of physical injury, fire and/or electrocution. Outdoors, wind can increase the potential for an accident, as can using large fixtures such as 2.5kWatt HMIs rigged at heights, e.g. on Cherry-pickers. Other problems may arise when working on soft ground, with a tendency for the lighting stand to tilt over. The correct type of lighting stand or clamp should be used for the type of fixture being deployed, and for the environment within which it is being set up. Most lighting stands are only suitable for use on level ground. On steps or on sloping ground a Lazy-leg type of stand should be used and the column should be vertical. Always test each section of the stand fully to ensure that it is held captive. End stops have been known to break off resulting in the stand collapsing as it is extended. Heavy fixtures should be mounted on wind-up stands. Medium weight lamps should be mounted on sprung or damped columns. Most location work involves lightweight lamps such as Blonds, Red-heads or Gullivers mounted on conventional lightweight stands.
When setting up the stand the correct, and most stable, position for the legs is with the cross braces parallel to the floor.
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| Correct |
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| Incorrect |
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| Incorrect |
The cable should pass vertically from the lamp head to the ground and pass under one of the legs on route to the power socket. Failure to do this will result in a hazardous installation and is NOT ACCEPTABLE. If the cable is snagged by a passing crew or cast member, the lamp will not be pulled over but will be dragged along the floor provided that the cable passes under one of the legs of the lighting stand. If there is any risk of a lamp being blown over or knocked over, it should be permanently manned by a technician, or secured with a sandbag and/or safety bonds. Sandbags, if used, should pass through the triangular gap formed between the column, one of the legs and a horizontal strut
Electricity It goes without saying that electricity can kill, and it is important to minimise the risks involved by adopting safe practices. Location lighting takes quite a beating and is subject to all kinds of abuse. All lighting equipment is tested periodically and should carry a PAT test label. Portable Appliance Testing is usually carried out a 12 monthly intervals, but an up-to-date PAT test label does not guarantee your safety. It is up to you, the user, to physically examine every lamp before you use it! First check the plug for any damage, then the whole length of cable, followed by the lamp housing and any in-line switches or dimmers. Pay particular attention to the cable grommets where the cable enters the lamp housing, and the condition of the cable insulation. Also check for missing wing nuts that secure the lamp to its stand, and cracked or missing safety glass. Check Cable Glands for Damage Check for Damaged Safety Glass Check for Missing/Damaged Bolts If you spot any defect, no matter how small, DO NOT USE THE LAMP! Wrap the plug in Gaffer or hazard tape to warn others and report the problem to the hire company/tech support.
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| Inspect Cable Glands |
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| Inspect Wing Nuts |
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| Inspect Safety Glass |
All mains outlets on location need to be tested with a Martindale before plugging in any lamp (or other appliance).
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| UNSAFE |
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| SAFE |
Power = Current x Supply Voltage or (P=IV) or Watts = Amps x Volts
Red heads usually come in 3 lamp kits and are 800Watts each. 3 lamps of 800Watts use 2,400 Watts of power in total. Throughout Europe the mains supply is 230 Volts RMS. As Power (Watts) = Volts x Amps, we can see that 3 redheads will be drawing 10.43 Amps from our domestic 13 Amp wall socket. Add another lamp and we would need 3,200 Watts which would pull 13.9 Amps, causing the fuses to blow in the mains extension/4 way block. A set up using 2 blonds will be using 4kWatts of power and therefore draws 17.4 Amps Whilst it is possible to spread the load across several sockets, it is important to realise that the ring mains will only support 30 Amps in total before tripping the circuit breakers or blowing fuses in the consumer unit. This equates to a maximum of 6,900 Watts. Allowance should also be made for peaks of current when switching lamps on and for people using kettles, hair dryers, curling tongues, toasters or heaters etc.
DO NOT OVERLOAD ELECTRICAL SOCKETS, CABLES OR CIRCUITS!
Fire Additional care should be taken when using cable reel extensions. Whilst a fully unwound cable reel can supply over 3kW and therefore safely run 3 red-heads, a fully wound 50 metre reel can only supply 720 Watts of power. This is because a wound cable acts like an electro-magnet when passing alternating current. The magnetic field that is generated causes an induced current to flow against the direction of the applied current. The conductors therefore get hot and cause the insulation to melt or catch fire. Many extension cables are now fitted with thermal cut-outs to prevent this happening, but it is still necessary to uncoil the cable fully before submitting the cable to any heavy load. As uncoiling the cable could create a further trip hazard, it is wise to choose extension cables of appropriate lengths for the job in hand
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| 1 Meter Minimum Safe Distance |
A further fire hazard is provided by the lamp housing itself. On the back of the lamp housing there is often a diagram, or some information, about the safe working distance of the lamp. This, however, is not always present. Common sense need to be used when positioning lamps close to wallpaper, curtains, low ceilings etc., and the lamp should be turned off when not required. Beware of curtains near open windows as they could be blown onto the lamp and catch fire.
Explosion Most tungsten lamps as used in TV/Film production use Quartz bulbs that have the potential to explode. Lamps should never be operated without a safety glass or gauze If changing a bulb the lamp should be unplugged and the plug placed in a trouser/coat pocket to prevent somebody accidentally plugging it in. Safety goggles should be worn and the new bulb held between folded card, paper or plastic. Switch off before repositioning the lamp. Many lamps can fail if moved whilst switched on. Other risks of explosion relate to the environment where the filming is taking place. Hot tungsten lighting should not be used in mines, petrochemical plants and areas where volatile explosive chemicals are present. Not so well known is the fact that flour dust is also explosive.
Lamps at Height When rigging lamps at height, in addition to carrying out a “working at height” risk assessment and method statement, the Light fitting should be secured with the correct grips/clamps/spigots for the job and secured with lighting security bonds of the correct rating.
Lighting H&S Quick Reference
1- Ensure a full and proper risk assessment and method statement have been done for the planned location/shoot.
2- Check and inspect all cables plugs fittings and stands for damage. Tape up plugs of faulty lamps/cables and DO NOT USE.
3- Test all mains outlets, including extensions, with a Martindale. Tape up any faulty sockets. Do not use faulty extensions.
4- Rig lamps away from combustible materials.
5- Ensure stand is correctly and securely set up. Use sandbags if leaving un-manned.
6- Ensure lamp cable is routed under lighting stand leg.
7- Tape down cables crossing passageways with yellow gaffer tape.
8- Ensure extension cables are of the correct length and fully unwound.
RETRACE
R isk Assessment should be performed for each set-up.
E xamine and inspect all equipment for damage.
T est all mains sockets with a Martindale mains tester.
R ig all stands securely and safely and away from combustible materials.
A ccess routes should be kept clear at all times.
C ables should be routed under legs and taped down in passageways.
E xtension cables should be unwound whilst avoiding causing trip hazards.
Stay Safe!
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