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managing risk Insurance isn’t just an option for professional photographers. It’s a legal


responsibility, as MPA’s membership requirements recognise, and critical to the security of your business. RiskAlliance Photo-Shield outline the basics.


M


anaging risk in any trade or profession is critical. Businesses have


legal responsibilities whether driven by statutes, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, or from a Common Law duty of care to third parties.


There are over 150 serious injuries in the UK creative me- dia industries every year. Don’t add to the statistic!


In a studio, on location or on a set, there can be lights, water, animals, models, pyrotechnics, crew, cranes, members of the public and children, sometimes all in the same space! The potential hazards are enormous. If these risks are not properly assessed and managed, mistakes can be made which could cost thousands of pounds worth of damages – or worse, cause injury or death to you or others. Health and safety and pro- tection of your valuable equip- ment should be taken seriously. Whilst many professional photographers will be sole traders and thus will have limited exposure to the Health and Safety at Work Act it is important to take proportionate steps to mitigate risks to you and others. That’s why RiskAlliance together with the Master Photographers Association has put together this simple guide to help members to understand and manage the risks associated with this diverse profession. By following this easy to understand practical advice, you will be taking the first positive steps towards controlling and reducing risk.


These guidelines will help you to reduce the risks that result from the various activities taking place on location or on your own property. It will look at your own behaviour and how you can influence others.


MASTER PHOTOGRAPHY 28


In the studio or on location, you need to know your risks and to be covered. Photographs courtesy of Elinchrom.


organisation, you could ask a health and safety advisor to help you. If you are not con- fident, get help from someone who is competent. In all cases, you should make sure that you involve staff, if you employ any, or their representatives in the process. Talk to your clients about the location and the environment you are exposed to. They will usually have useful information that will make your assessment of the risk more thorough and effective. But remember, you are responsible for seeing that the assessment is carried out properly. When thinking about your risk assessment, remember: • A hazard is anything that may cause harm, such as equip- ment, electricity, working from ladders etc; • The risk is the chance, high


or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indi- cation of how serious the harm could be.


Next we set out some of the key risks and offer some general guidance and advice.


Location and Lone Working


Risk Assessment – funda- mental to managing your risk We recommend you follow


the HSE’s guidance to risk as- sessment Step 1 Identify the hazards Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions Step 4 Record your findings and implement them Step 5 Review your assess- ment and update if necessary This process is one which you can and should include in MPA Diploma of Professional Photog- raphy workbooks.


Don’t over-complicate the


process. In many small organisa- tions, the risks are well known and the necessary control measures are easy to apply. You probably already know whether, for example, you have employ- ees who move heavy loads and so could harm their backs, or where people are most likely to slip or trip. If so, check that you have taken reasonable precau- tions to avoid injury. If you run a small organisation and you are confident you understand what’s involved, you can do the assessment yourself. You don’t have to be a health and safety expert.


If you work in a larger


For many photographers lone working is a very real risk. The questions to be asked include: • Can the risks of the job be adequately controlled by one person? • Is there a risk of violence? • Are women especially at risk if they work alone? • Are young workers espe- cially at risk if they work alone? • Is the person medically fit and suitable to work alone? • What training is required to ensure competency in safety matters? • How will the person be supervised? • What happens if a person


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