SFTV has a twelve-hour maximum workday rule. During your production, you are restricted from working more than 12 hours a day.

Any student director/producer who is found to have worked more than twelve hours will be considered to have violated the LMU safety policy and will be subject to disciplinary action. Directors/producers must provide reasonable turnaround time for their cast and crew between shoot days, no less than 10 full hours.

The workday starts at call time. If the location is outside the 30-mile radius, then travel time to and from the location is considered work time and is included in the 12 hours.

The workday ends when all the equipment has been loaded or stored, and the cast and crew leave to go home.

A maximum of 30 minutes of mealtime is the only time that is deducted from the workday. In other words, if you break for a half hour, your workday can be a total of 12.5 elapsed hours. If it is a one-hour or more meal break, you cannot go past the 12.5 hours lapsed on set.

Whether your crew is lighting, shooting, scouting or just hanging out waiting for the perfect light, this is all considered time. Building long “breaks” into your schedule does not grant you permission to extend your shooting hours beyond 12 (i.e. no “split days”).

Every student has the right to leave and is not obligated to work beyond the elapsed 12.5 hours. To report work hour concerns, or any other safety issues, please call or email the SFTV Safety Hotline.

PLEASE NOTE: Any cast or crew member who believes that he/she is too tired to drive safely should notify the Director and/or the Producer. In that event, the Producer/Director must try to find alternative means of transportation or provide a rest area or hotel room. No one having slept less than 5 hours in the past 24 hours can be allowed to operate a vehicle (studies show reaction times are equivalent to a drunk driver in this scenario).

Electrocution is the 5th leading cause of workplace death from injury. More than half of those deaths result from the use of defective equipment or not following safe procedures.

Only G&E personnel should operate electrical equipment on set. No student is allowed to “tie-in” or connect DIRECTLY to any Electrical main or Circuit Breaker for power – this is illegal and dangerous! Know where the circuit breakers are at your location and DO NOT OVERLOAD any circuit.

If someone on set receives an electrical shock, DO NOT TOUCH THE VICTIM WITH BARE HANDS, as you could get electrocuted too. Use a non-conductive material (like a broom or towel) to separate the victim from the shock source. Call 911, then disconnect the source of power.

Follow this link to learn more in-depth about how to operate electrical equipment safely.

If you are planning to use fire as a special effect, you must ensure that you are equipped with an extinguisher. It is recommended that you hire an on-set fire marshal to be on standby that knows how to operate a fire extinguisher.  

There are no open flames or candles allowed on campus; the only exception is on the sound stages, which is only permissible if the PAT team has confirmed there will be safety measures in place. Open flames include lighters, stove tops, candles, and campfires. 

Smoking is not allowed on sound stages unless approved by the PAT team. In the case of using cigarettes, butt cans or a metal can filled with sand must be nearby.  

The stages must be adequately managed, and all items of scenery, including props and dressings, should be either naturally fire resistant, flame- or fire-proofed.  

All fire exits should be identified during safety meetings and kept clear at all times. 

Sets should not obstruct the statutory fire signage used within studios, stages, or theaters. If necessary, temporary signage should be provided if any scenery obstructs the view of normal fire escape signs. 

The use of glass within studios and stage sets should be avoided. Where possible, use plastic-based materials; clear sheets of plastic that replicate glass can be found at Home Depot or Lowes.

In the event of an injury or accident on set, you should tend to the affected person and ensure their safety first.

When talking to paramedics, have LMU’s insurance information ready so that there will be no delay in providing medical care while someone determines who’s going to pay for it.

LMU’s POLICY #: Hartford Insurance Company #72WEAM3MAM (this information must appear on the call sheet).

The location of the nearest Emergency Room or Urgent Care facility should also be listed on the Call Sheet. If it is determined that the injured can be moved, you should have a “designated driver” who will take charge of transporting the injured party to the nearest care provider. If the person who has been hurt cannot be moved call 911 immediately.

Once the injured person is being treated/transported, you must report the incident to Jennifer Khong. You must file an “SFTV ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT” as well; the required documents for this will be provided to you at your PAT meeting.

You must complete the written report and send it to Jennifer Khong within 8 hours of the incident.

When filming an intimate scene, you must hire an intimacy coordinator. Please consult your course One Sheet or contact the Production Administration Team or Student Production Office to learn if your project is allowed to have scenes of intimacy.

SFTV follows the emerging industry model of requiring Intimacy Coordinators on productions when nudity, simulated sex, or other intimate scenes are required.

Intimacy Coordinators are trained and accredited professionals who protect the safety of actors by ensuring these type of scenes are performed to previously consented upon choreography and blocking. They assist filmmakers and performers in achieving their highest artistic goals in a safe and non-coercive environment.

Intimacy Coordinators should be hired during pre-production and will work with the producer, director, and actors throughout the production of the intimate scenes. During the project approval process, Production Administration will determine if your project requires an Intimacy Coordinator to assist you.

If your project has scenes of intimacy, or if you are unsure of your ability to budget for an Intimacy Coordinator, email your script to the Student Production Office early and schedule a meeting to discuss options. To find an intimacy coordinator for your film, please reach out to the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators website or Intimacy Coordinators of Color.

When using ladders, it is important to ensure the following:

• Inspect all ladders at the time of checkout and before use for broken or missing rungs, steps, split side rails, or other defects. Any bent supports or other defects should be reported and ladder taken out of service. 
• 3 points of contact are needed when using ladders. 
• Never use a metal ladder near electrical wires. 
• Never place ladders in doorways unless protected by barricades or guards. 
• Never stand on the top step of a stepladder.  
  • Never climb above the third rung from the top on a straight ladder. Do not overreach on any ladder; move the ladder when needed. 
• Straight ladders should extend at least 3 feet above its top landing support point. 
• Straight ladders should be tied down as close to the top landing support point as possible. 
• Always use a 4 to 1 ratio (1 foot away for every 4 feet of ladder height) when utilizing a straight ladder. 
• Always face the ladder when ascending or descending and maintain a firm grip. 
• If you carry tools, use a tool belt or a bucket attached to a hand line to pull equipment up and to lower it down. 
• Always lock the wheels to prevent any rolling or instability. 

When shooting on location you must know which LAPD station services your address. Contact LAPD in the event of an emergency and to notify officers when you are using a prop weapon on set.

Shooting on any public street, thoroughfare, alley, road, highway or freeway is prohibited by local, State and/or Federal law without the proper permits and safety procedures.

Filmmakers are never allowed to control or direct traffic in any way. Per SFTV policy, if you are planning to shoot on or adjacent to a street, highway, road or parking lot, you will be issued SFTV reflective safety vests; these must be worn by all your crew.

Power tools are dangerous and must be handled with care and respect.

Avoid operating power tools when standing on a wet conductive surface, as the shock could be fatal. Never carry a power tool by its cord and never turn it off by yanking the cord from the outlet or receptacle.

When using power tools during construction, Ground Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFI) protection is required. Test the GFI device to see if it is functioning properly.

PROP GUNS MAY ONLY BE USED IN: PROD 390 / 490 /600 /650 AND SCWR 680 PRODUCTIONS

The use of prop weapons poses significant risk to student filmmakers therefore the policy on the use of prop weapons must be strictly enforced. The penalties for failure to comply with the policy are severe. 

Prop Weapon Safety Bulletin is here. (Recommendations for Safety with Firearms and use of ‘Blank Ammunition’)

Additionally, here is the link to request a security detail. 

With prop guns, blanks, squibs and other pyrotechnic devices may never be used. Scenes making use of knives, swords, bayonets, etc. are required to use props made of rubber or similar material (normal eating utensils are exempted).

The use of any prop weapon requires approval by PAT and Public Safety when filming on campus. In your approval meetings with PAT, if a prop weapon is to be used in either an exterior or interior location on campus, Public Safety must be notified.

When filming off campus, your permit from the appropriate agency must specify the use of a prop firearm or weapon. Check for restrictions from your specific location. The guidelines given here are accurate in Los Angeles County, which has a fair amount of regulative structure in place because so much filming happens here. 

Follow this link to a page with more in-depth details regarding prop weapons.

Gotta Catch ‘Em All!

In our ongoing efforts to mirror industry practices and to emphasize safety on set, we have created a Production Safety Training Program. As students, you are both required and expected to embrace “safety first” as the on-set mantra.

The program consists of four training sessions that address key safety issues. One is mandatory for all SFTV students working on sets, two are strongly recommended for all SFTV students working on sets and mandatory for all students working in Camera, Grip and Electric, and sound on set, and one is optional.

More about the trainings and how to acquire safety badges can be found at this link.

All cast and crew members working on or near water should exercise caution. If you are on a vessel, everyone MUST wear life vests. If anyone present is going into any body of water, a lifeguard must be present.

When using a watercraft, be aware of load weight and rider capacity limits. Only required personnel should be on the watercraft; all others should remain on land. Safety lines, nets, watch safety personnel and/or divers should be used when filming in rivers or other bodies of water where potentially hazardous conditions could exist (e.g. swift currents, thick underwater plant life, or rocks).

During your Production Administration approval meeting, you will be given all the safety requirements necessary to receive permission.

Any production activity that takes place in a body of water (pool, river, ocean) must have an appropriately certified lifeguard on duty during the water shot(s) or sequence. Even if a cast or crew member does as little as dip a toe into the water, a lifeguard is required on set. You must submit your hired lifeguard’s certification to Production Administration for approval.

Still unsure if you need a lifeguard? Here are some rules:

• Does your character stand in the river and fly fish? If yes, you need a lifeguard.
• Is your character standing ankle deep in a swimming pool? If yes, you need a lifeguard.
• Does your character stand on the beach and the waves touch their toes? If yes, you need a lifeguard.
• Is your tripod or camera operator in a floatie in your pool? If yes, you need a lifeguard.

For permitting and lifeguards on LA County beaches, contact FilmLA.

Medical dangers can not always be controlled, but they can be prepared for. Here are some examples of weather-related medical dangers you may encounter, and how to help.

Special safety considerations must be taken when working on locations where various indigenous critters may be present. It is also production’s responsibility to assure the safety of the indigenous critters in the filming area, and to provide for the removal of wildlife from locations. If you have additional questions regarding the AHA’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media, contact the Film and Television Unit at (818) 501-0123.

Here are some examples of dangers you may encounter and how to help:

• Snakes: Locations in the desert or near freshwater sources like lakes may involve potential contact with snakes.
  • Always look where you are putting your feet and hands; never reach into a hole, crevices in rock piles, under rocks, or dark places where a snake may be hiding. If you need to turn over rocks, use a stick.
  • Attempt to stay out of tall grass. Walk in cleared spots as much as possible.
  • Step on logs, not over them, so that you can see whether there is a rattlesnake concealed below on the far side. On hot summer days, rattlesnakes can become nocturnal and come out at night when you do not expect it. Care should be taken when working at night after a hot summer day.

If you or someone else gets bitten, seek immediate medical attention. While the paramedics are being called, immediately immobilize the affected body part and attempt to note the time and area of body bitten. Do not apply a tourniquet, incise the wound, or attempt to suck out the venom; do not allow the victim to engage in physical activity.

• Rodents: Locations that may involve the use of alleyways, beneath bridges, tunnels, abandoned buildings, or other structures, may involve potential contact with rodents.
  • Similarly to encountering snakes, always look where you are putting your feet and hands; never reach into a hole, crevices, or dark places where a rodent may be hiding.

If you or someone else gets bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Wash the affected area with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment. If it is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze, and cover the area with a clean bandage. Signs of potential infection include redness and swelling, so consult a doctor as rodents carry viruses.