Criteria 1

Understand how to follow safe working practices



    Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
    The main piece of health and safety legislation for the work place is the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The HSWA is a large piece of legislation that covers all areas of health and safety; it outlines what is the employer’s responsibility and what they must do to keep everyone safe in all areas. According to (REF ONE) “Employers must protect the 'health, safety and welfare' at work of all their employees, as well as others on their premises, including temps, casual workers, the self-employed, clients, visitors and the general public.” The legislation sets out rules, regulations and duties that all employers and employees must adhere to in all work places. This piece of legislation applies to all work places in that the employer must think about the health and safety of all staff at all times, for a photographer this could be in the studio or on location.
    You can find a copy of The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at :-

    The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 is a piece of legislation that outlines the duties of the employer in the work place. According to (REF TWO) “Main employer duties under the Regulations include making 'assessments of risk' to the health and safety of its workforce, and to act upon risks they identify, so as to reduce them.” This is just one of the duties outlined; others include making sure all employees’ have the correct qualifications to be able to maintain health and safety in the work place. Another is having a health and safety police in the place of work that all employees can access and making sure all employees are provided with the correct training on health and safety. This applies to photography because photographers must fill out a health and safety risk assessment if they are taking employees onto a location for a shoot.
    You can find a copy of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 :-

    The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 is a piece of legislation that outlines what they employer must provide their employees with in terms of the workplace. According to (REF TWO) “The main provisions of these Regulations require employers to provide adequate lighting, heating, ventilation and workspace (and keep them in a clean condition).” Another of the duties that this legislation requires employers to do is to provide toilets, refreshment facilities and washing areas that are kept clean and tidy. It also outlines the employer’s responsibility to make sure that all walkways and corridors are kept tidy and free of any obstacles that could cause an injury. This applies to photography if you run a larger photography business with an office/studio and employ others, for example models and assistants.
    You can find a copy of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 :-

    The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 is a piece of legislation that is aimed at work places where employees will be looking at display screens for more than one hour, this could be computers, laptops, tablets or any other type of electronic screen. According to (REF TWO) “Employers are required to ensure DSE users take 'adequate breaks’, provide regular eyesight tests and provide health and safety information.” These are a few of the regulations that employers who are in charge of a work place where employees use display screens have to meet, along with many more, these regulations also include the furniture that the employees will be using for viewing the display screen. This would link to photography because as a photographer you spend many hours a day editing, if you run a photography business and employ others to edit then these rules would apply.
    You can find a copy of The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 :-

    The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 is a piece of legislation that is aimed at making employers responsible for providing and ensuring all employees are wearing and using the correct safety and protective equipment. According to (REF TWO) “The main provisions require employers to ensure that suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided free of charge "wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways." The PPE must be 'suitable' for the risk in question, and include protective face masks and goggles, safety helmets, gloves, air filters, ear defenders, overalls and protective footwear; and provide information, training and instruction on the use of this equipment.” This would link to photography if you are taking any employees into a dangers environment for a location shoot, for example a building site.
    You can find a copy of The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 :-

    The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 is a piece of legislation that outlines the ways in which employers must limit how much manual labour an employee is carrying out as far as possible within the job and to make sure the manual labour is being carried out safely. According to (REF TWO) “The main provisions of these Regulations require employers to avoid (as far as is reasonably practicable) the need for employees to undertake any manual handling activities involving risk of injury.” This also includes carrying out risk assessments of the manual labour to try and bring down the risk to anyone in the work place. This would link to photography because if the photographer is employing an assistant that has to carry or lift any equipment for example lighting or backdrops.
    You can find a copy of The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 :-

    The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 is a piece of legislation that outlines the provisions that employers must put into place when employees are using equipment. According to (REF TWO) “The main provisions require employers to ensure the safety and suitability of work equipment for the purpose for which it is provided.” The legislation also requires employers to make sure that the equipment is correctly maintained, that all employees are trained and understand fully how to use the equipment. This links to photography because if the photographer employs an assistant to set up and use lighting or any other equipment that is similar they must have the correct training and understand how to use it safely.
    You can find a copy of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 :-

    The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 is a piece of legislation that requires all employers to report any incidents, accidents or disease in the work place. According to (REF TWO) “The Regulations require an employer to record in an accident book the date and time of the incident, details of the person(s) affected, the nature of their injury or condition, their occupation, the place where the event occurred and a brief note on what happened.” This is then reported to the Health and Safety Executive or the local environmental health department. This relates to photography as any photographer who has employees, whether they are on location, in the studio or office, if they have an accident, incident or disease it needs to be reported.
    You can find a copy of The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 :-

     The Working Time Regulations 1998
    The Working Time Regulations 1998 is a piece of legislation that sets out the regulations for how long an employee can work, when they need a break and how long for, and how long they have to have a break for in between each working day. According to (REF TWO) “These Regulations implement two European Union directives on the organisation of working time and the employment of young workers (under 18 years of age). This piece of legislation covers the separate working hours from over 18’s and under, as under 18’s need longer breaks and are not allowed to work days as long as an adult. The Regulations cover the right to annual leave and to have rest breaks, and they limit the length of the working week.” This links to photography as it sets out the rules on working times, breaks, rest periods and leave for all employers in any work establishment.
    You can find a copy of The Working Time Regulations 1998 :-
    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/introduction/made




    Hazard and Risk with Studio and Location Photography

    The definition of Hazard is basically something that is dangerous and the definition of risk is, according to (REF THREE) “a factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger.” There are many different ways in which studio and location photography could be hazardous and there can be many risks.
    Studio Photography
    In the studio the first thing that could be hazardous to employees would be any objects that could cause an obstacle, for example, wires, props and any other equipment. This objects left out or uncovered wires and equipment that could be fallen over causes a risk to not only employees but also clients, this links to The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 in the rules that employers must maintain a clean and tidy work environment. Another hazard which I wouldn’t say is an immediate hazard but over long periods of time could cause damage is if the photographer is using a laptop whilst in the studio. Over long periods of time using a laptop without adequate breaks can cause eye sight deterioration, headaches and migraines. This links to The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 in which it says employees must provide regular eye sight tests and breaks for employees. In the studio another situation that could be hazardous is if the subject being photographed could be hazardous, for example paint throwing photo shoots are quite popular, when throw this could get into people’s eyes. This links to The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 in which it states that it is the employer’s responsibility to supply for free any equipment such as goggles to all employees to keep them from risk of injury. Another way that employees could be put at risk in the studio is by not providing adequate training in using equipment or providing reasonable ways to move equipment around the studio. For example to use equipment such as studio lighting employees must have the correct briefing or training so that they understand how to use them safely. Another example would be moving around heavy backdrops, to keep employees safe from harm it may take two assistants to carry one backdrop if it is too heavy or large, and this links to The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Another way studio photography could be hazardous is if employees are not given adequate breaks and rest then judgment can lapse and that increases the chances of risks being taken. This links to The Working Time Regulations 1998, in which it states that it is against the law to not provide employees with adequate breaks and rest periods.
    Location Photography
    In the studio the first thing that could be hazardous to employees would be to not provide adequate refreshment facilities and toileting areas. If these are not provided it could lead to employees being left hungry which could lead to lapse in judgment and increase risks, this links to The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 in the rules that employers provide adequate toileting and refreshment areas. Another hazard which I wouldn’t say is an immediate hazard but over long periods of time could cause damage is if the photographer is using his camera excessively. Over long periods of time using a camera and the back screen without adequate breaks can cause eye sight deterioration, headaches and migraines. This links to The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 in which it says employees must provide regular eye sight tests and breaks for employees. In the studio another situation that could be hazardous is if the props that are being used could be hazardous, for example smoke bombs are quite popular; these can get extremely hot when being used. Another example could be if the location that has been chosen isn’t completely safe, for example a building site. This links to The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 in which it states that it is the employer’s responsibility to supply for free any equipment such as safety gloves/helmets to employees to keep them from risk of injury. Another way that employees could be put at risk in the studio is by making sure the employees are not moving equipment that it too heavy or long distance. For example to use equipment such as studio lighting on location would require an assistant to carry it to the exact place of the shoot, this could mean moving large amounts of heavy equipment. To keep employees safe from harm it may take more than one assistant to carry the load and providing rests on the way so that employees don’t hurt themselves, this links to The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Another way studio photography could be hazardous is if employees are not given adequate breaks and rest then judgment can laps and that increases the chances of risks being taken. This links to The Working Time Regulations 1998, in which it states that it is against the law to not provide employees with adequate breaks and rest periods.




    Health and Safety Requirements

    Display Screen Equipment/Visual Display Units
    As part of The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, the health and safety requirements for Display Screen Equipment and Visual Display Units are that employees must be given adequate breaks away from the display screen/unit being used. According to (REF FOUR) “The CompactLaw Risk Assessment Form recommends a five-minute break to do alternative work, either at an employee's desk or away from their desk every 30 minutes.” Employers must also provide employees using display screens and units with regular eye tests with a qualified optician, and they must ensure that employees know of the free eye tests and how often they are advised to be taken. There are also requirements for the screens being used, the colours of the screen and text must be easy to look at, the text shouldn’t be too small, the brightness of the screen should be easy on the eyes and the writing shouldn’t be blurry.
    Electricity
    As part of The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the health and safety requirements for electricity in the workplace are that all electrical units should be maintained properly and have adequate checks on them as advised by the company providing. According to (REF FIVE) The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 “Requires that all electrical systems should, so far as reasonably practicable, be of safe construction and maintained in that state.” Any work being carried out in the workplace must not be carried out near any electrical units unless it can be done safely to avoid any risk. Another regulations states that employers must provide employees with protective equipment and that this equipment must be correctly maintained. Any electrical equipment must only be plug in to a place where the strength is correct for the unit and not too strong. It also requires that all electrical units must be safe from conditions that could cause a danger, for example in wet conditions, in a studio this could be a place near a leak in the roof.
    Training
    Employers must provide adequate training for employees, and the relevant instructions on how to work safely in the workplace, this means all relevant instructions on how to use all equipment must be either accessible or displayed. Employers must decide how much training to give employees to keep them safe from causing risk of harm to themselves or others. All instructions and training given to employees is required to be given in a way that is understandable and should be given in the employees working hours so that they are paid for the time. According to (REF SIX) “The immediate provider of the work experience or training for employment is an educational establishment and it is provided on a course run by the establishment; or received under a contract of employment.”
    Workstations
    As part of The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, the health and safety for workstations requires that employers must provide a comfortable and risk free work station, this means that the desk must be at the correct height to be comfortable. The desk should be properly arranged and the chair and other furniture must be correct for good posture and be comfortable. There are regulations on how the mouse and keyboard are positioned and how to use them so that the risk of injury such as repetitive strain injury is limited. All employees should be trained on what these are and how to protect themselves, according to (REF SEVEN) “You must provide information, instruction and health and safety training to users to help them identify risks and safe work practices.”
    The Workplace
    As part of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, the health and safety regulations for the workplace cover every single element of the entire work space. It includes the ventilation of the work place to make sure that clean fresh air is circulating the workplace without caused a draft. It covers the temperature in the workplace and making sure it isn’t too hot or cold along with regulations of the lighting. The cleanliness of the workplace is covered along with the size of the rooms that employees are working in. Maintenance of everything from the actual building to the electrical equipment and the floor space is also covered, it is important to provide enough room for people to walk around without causing risk. Doors and windows are also covered, according to (REF EIGHT) “make sure any windows capable of being opened can be opened, closed or adjusted safely.” The workplace health and safety also cover the refreshment and toileting areas and the drinking water.
    Handling of Heavy Objects
    As part The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, the health and safety regulations for handling heavy objects are that employers have to take into consideration what the individual employee can lift, what they are carrying, what conditions they are carrying and what training they might need. Training may involve teaching employees how to lift certain items, according to (REF NINE) “If you need to lift something manually reduce the amount of twisting, stooping and reaching and avoid lifting from floor level or above shoulder height, especially heavy loads.” The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 is guidance on what employers must do to avoid employees getting hurt whilst handling heavy objects in the work place.
    COSHH
    As part of The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the health and safety regulations for dealing with hazardous substances are that employers must first of all identify what the hazards are, then write up a risk assessment on how to work in the safest way around the hazard. Employers must then put in place measures to make sure that the risk to employees is limited and they must keep tight rules in these situations to keep employees safe. Employers must also make sure that all employees are provided with the right training and information so that employees have the knowledge and understanding to keep themselves and others safe. Employers are required to, according to (REF TEN) “provide monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases.” Employers must also make sure that if an emergency does arise that there is a plan in place of how to handle it so that damage is limited.



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