SPA and MEAA release revised guidelines for screen safety
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) and the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) have released the National Guidelines for Screen Safety.
The Guidelines provide advice on how to manage safety in screen industry workplaces and comply with state and federal workplace health and safety legislation. They were produced by SPA and MEAA with the support of Film Victoria, Screen Australia, Screen New South Wales, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screenwest, and the South Australian Film Corporation.
Directed at productions of all levels and in all media – from music videos to international feature film co-productions – the Guidelines aim to:
• explain the legal framework that governs WHS in Australia;
• provide guidance for screen workers to identify, avoid, and manage risks – from the start of pre-production to the wrap;
• facilitate WHS compliance, through provision of forms, checklists, templates, and other documents; and
• provide an incident response guide.
“Screen production is a unique industry which presents unique workplace hazards. As such everyone involved in bringing a story to the screen – from producers, to directors, actors, and stunt performers – has a responsibility to create and promote a safe workplace culture,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
“These Guidelines have been developed in consultation with industry and with due regard to current workplace health and safety law, and I would like to thank our members and all those who contributed for providing their insights and advice on establishing safe work practices in the screen industry.”
“These guidelines will ensure the robustness of our screen industry by making workers and their work environments safer for everyone,” said MEAA Entertainment, Crew and Sport Federal President Fiona Donovan.
“A big thanks to all the screen members and workers who provided feedback and comments from their experiences in the industry during the drafting process. It is particularly important that the guidelines include an in-built mechanism for continuous improvement, so they can grow and adapt with the industry.”
“These new guidelines bring together work over recent years dealing with important safety issues for performers like intimacy, and prevention of discrimination, bullying and harassment,” said the Federal President of MEAA’s Equity section, Jason Klarwein.
“It’s great that this work has been undertaken jointly by MEAA and SPA and supported by the screen agencies. A safe workplace is a win for everyone.”
The Guidelines are now available for free online and are an interactive living document which will be subject to ongoing consultation, review and updating.
SPA and MEAA release revised guidelines for screen safety
Last update: June 8, 2021
