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

• Before leaving equipment checkout with electrical equipment examine all cables for breaks or cuts in the insulation. The same examination should be made of cables on the set prior to connecting power. Do not use damaged cables.

• Tape down electrical cables if you must lay them across doorways. If cable crossovers or rubber matting is available, use it over cables and tape the matting down.

• Always hold the cable connector or plug when disconnecting a cable. Never pull from the cable.

• Examine all electrical equipment for signs of wear. Watch out for breaks or openings in any cable, any plug or any place where the cable attaches to a lamp.

• Uncoil electrical cables before they are used. Cables must remain uncoiled while they are connected to power.

• Keep all exits where you shoot clear of equipment and cables. Escape / exit routes must be understood by the cast and crew.

• Use set gloves when handling lights and other heavy, hot, or sharp-edged equipment.

• Do not “tie-in” to a location’s power. Only a licensed electrician can “tie-in” to power.

• Before you plug in, know where circuit breakers are located and/or have spare fuses.

• Do not overload a circuit. Know how much power you are drawing. Know the location of circuit breakers or have an appropriate location contact for circuit breakers. (1000 watts = about 10 amps. Most circuits are 20 amps.)

• Always use grounded plugs.

• Older location structures which have only the two-prong type outlets (non-grounded)should be avoided.

• Permission to use a generator must be given by production operations and the location.Additional permits may be required.

• Never touch two lamps at the same time.

• Never touch electrical equipment and a grounded object where water is present.

• NEVER USE ALUMINUM LADDERS or any METAL support such as kitchen step stools when working with electricity.

• Always hold the cable connector or plug when disconnecting a cable. Never pull from the cable

FILMING NEAR WATER AND IN DAMP/WET CONDITIONS

• Never touch electrical equipment with wet feet or wet hands

• Do not allow electrical cables or equipment to get wet.

• Do not reach for an electrical appliance that has fallen into water. Unplug the device immediately if you have dry hands and feet when it is safe to do so. Make sure the breaker has “tripped” first.

• Beware of sprinklers that may turn on while shooting / working on location.

• Lights and any electrical cables must remain no closer than 10 feet from water. This includes pools, fountains, ocean, ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.

• A GFCI must be used at all times when filming near water. Small in-line GFCI’s should be used to attach to small lights closest to the water source. You will also need a largerGFCI to protect the entire set.

• If rain is imminent, stop and disconnect power before you and your equipment get wet.

 

IF SOMEONE IS ELECTROCUTED

• DO NOT TOUCH THE VICTIM – you may be electrocuted, too.

• Immediately terminate the circuit breakers, unplug the device and get professional medical attention.