NASMAH Health and Safety Guidelines
It was agreed at our social evening that NASMAH should produce its own guidelines for health & safety in the workplace. There are downloadable pages at the end of this page. The following is a collation of these - some may have been missed and it is recommended that members attend an official course. BECTU members can obtain a useful small green card that is easy to carry but copies of these notes can easily be displayed. Several productions are now asking that a good knowledge of Health & Safety regulations are a pre requisite to employment. The following are in no relevant order:
Risk assessments
These must be provided by both the HOD/Key/Chief Make Up Artist and the production in writing before work commences for them to become legally binding.
The production must inform employees of any significant dangers and introduce significant safety measures.
The employee should cooperate with reasonable instructions from the employer, use tools and equipment properly, and inform your employer, or another responsible person, if you are aware of any dangerous or potentially dangerous situation.
It should be notified to all on the production, the name of the person on the production with overall responsibility for H & S. and any significant results from risk assessments carried out by the employer etc which may affect you.
Insurance cover is not applicable unless operatives are proven to be qualified (this is especially relevant to those doing a job for experience and not being paid ) i.e. do not take a job beyond your capabilities - competence is a pre - requisite . The Chief or their representative must be aware of the abilities of their staff.
Make Up Caravans
It should be checked, preferably by the person hiring the caravans, that all the relevant certificates for gas, electric appliances etc. are current and that the drivers are of the required standard. Equally, make up personnel should have their electrical equipment checked annually by a qualified electrician.
Access to make up trailers should be by means of stable steps with a handrail.
There should be a good working space within the caravan & care must be taken that there are no trailing leads to electrical equipment / and appliances in use must not be covered whilst switched on.
Fire extinguishers and First Aid Kits must be prominent.
Make Up staff must arrange for a 'sharps' bucket for used razors & glass - this must be prominently labeled as such and a flammable waste container - do not put any spirit in the nearest bin - must be provided.
General advice
When dealing with children - all permission - even for the smallest of effects - must only come from the parents and nobody else.
Leading artists will have their own make up but with other categories of artists obviously separate make up brushes must be used - there are now disposable lipstick/mascara brushes than can be used. Also available are brush cleaner wipes which disinfect brushes between use. Any equipment used on 'cold sores' etc must immediately be disposed of effectively.
Barbicide should always be available for the immediate disinfecting of combs & brushes.
Electrical clippers & razors must be disinfected between each use. A 'dust off air spray (used for camera lens) is effective for cleaning hair out of clippers and the combined disinfectant/lubricant spray must be used.
There should be an adequate supply of towels - these should not be shared if faces are being cleaned.
Hands should be washed & be seen to be washed between each make up & do not leave grubby towels lying around.
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As more and more of us are asked to use 'Air-brushing' as a form of make-up application it is vital that we all take extra care when doing our Risk Assessment.
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Air-brushing pushes both pigments and their carriers into the air surrounding the make-up artist therefore if more than one air-brush is being used ,extra ventilation is crucial.
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In make-up rooms, windows should be opened and if possible an extractor should be installed.
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In caravans and/or mobile make-up rooms , roof vents should be opened and an extractor should be available.
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In tents or location make-up rooms, make sure tent flaps are left open and fans available.
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This is most important as more and more cases of chest infections are coming to light from people who have used air-brushes for some time. When air-brushes are used in garages (for body work painting) protective clothing and masks are compulsory.
We don't use anything at present to protect ourselves. Make sure your working environment is safe.
Emergencies
The production must have well publicized emergency procedures in place.
Where there is no recognised health & safety rep., there is a legal right to leave the place of work at any time on your own initiative if you reasonably believe you are faced by serious & imminent danger.
Large productions should have a Unit Nurse or Doctor - these are not health & safety reps - there should also be good paramedic cover for stunts & hazardous special effects plus a sufficient number of trained first aiders.
Check that: Evacuation routes are always kept clear; Relevant fire extinguishers are in place; Butane & propane are stored safely, preferably in the open air; no smoking rules are observed.
Hours of Work
Be careful when/if you sign a contract that you do not give away too many of your basic rights.
Working Time
Regulations say that all workers are entitled to break of at least 11 continuous hours between working days but we know that this can be 'signed away' All of this can seriously damage health but the only alternative at the moment is for informal arrangements within the department.
Most of this is a common sense approach, but if there is anything that you are unsure of or need clarification, please do contact us.
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Health & Safety at work (This is IMPORTANT - Your very livelihood is at stake) (it is strongly recommended that you print these pages and keep them with you whilst you are working)
Click here for the printable version of this document in PDF Format You can download
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Risk Assessment Forms |
