Health and Safety 1.9

Since I have been concentrating on landscape photography I have looked at the Government website with regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act which can be viewed by clicking here.

This Act covers all aspects of access to the countryside, habitat conservation, damage too, or removal of protected flora and fauna, and even the introduction of none native species into the countryside.

It also incorporates the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 1980 which gives the access rights of the general public with regard to open country and registered common land.

In addition to this I have also looked at the Health & Safety at Work Act since I have also worked within the college with regard to this course.  This is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK and can be viewed by clicking here.

Briefly, it is the duty of every employer, to ensure the health safety and welfare at  work of all his employees and visitors.  It is also the responsibility of all employees and visitors to take reasonable care of their own and others safety.

The following considerations should be made whilst carrying out any assignment on location.

- the photographer should have current employer and public liability insurance, including cover for people
engaged by him on an occasional basis.

- the photographer and his assistant should have motor vehicle insurance which covers their vehicles for business use.

- the photographer should have a formal agreement with the customer outlining their requirements.

- should carry out a site visit to discuss arrangements with the customer, requesting where necessary permission for access and right to take photographs.

- should ensure where necessary the location has adequate fire precautions and signage in place.

- should consult with the customer, where necessary, of the location on any risk assessment and what actions are required and have these been carried out.

- share with any assistant any concerns and if necessary any location management.

- should ensure all equipment is maintained and safe to use.

- should ensure all employees including those self employed are trained to use equipment safely.

- should take precautions to minimise any identified potential problems related to safety affecting the assignment and to any other people at the location.

Location safety mainly revolves around trips slips and hazards.

Risk assessments should also be undertaken in relation to a photographers premises, these include;

- fire precautions
- using display screen equipment (DSE)
- manual handling
- control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)