RISK PROTECTION AGAINST

CONTAGION OF COVID-19 DURING FILMING

Basic Safety Rules
After the end of the lockdown, productions will resume.

This document provides the basic methods for establishing technical and organizational measures
for contagion prevention. Each filming is different, hence specific risk-based measures need to be
established BEFORE it begins.

INTRODUCTION NOTE

● Even after the decrease or termination of Government preventive measures, the risk of
contagion - albeit to a lesser extent - will persist in the first weeks and months, if not longer.

● It is common during a content shoot for different professions to participate in multiple projects
simultaneously. Therefore, the risk on a content shoot is higher than in closed operations.

● Possible treatment, unless there are serious complications, lasts 3-6 weeks and is accompanied
by local quarantine measures. This can endanger the entire project and should be taken
seriously.

The assessment of risks and the adoption of measures related to contagion must be part of the
complex risk analysis in accordance with the existing directives of Government.

● Follow the risk assessment methods, then determine the technical and organizational measures.
Use the services of qualified professionals.

 Provision of Handbook to cast and crew along with protective gear kit in order to sensitize and
educate them on COVID-19 prior to entering the set which shall include the following:
 General awareness about the novel corona virus
 Precautions – Dos and Don’ts
 Symptoms & stages of infection
 Information about testing & testing centres around Mumbai
 Develop frequent hand washing and sanitization habits
 Cultivate good respiratory hygiene
 Promote Distancing between each other
 Non-medical grade masks
 Disposable gloves
 Face shields
 Proper training about precautions to be taken during the shoot to be given to all involved in the
shoot - One classroom training and daily briefing for all workers. Carry out a drill every day like
restaurants with entire staff regarding precautions so that it becomes a habit. All in-house office
housekeeping staff hired directly or through third party vendors to have mandatory COVID
sanitizing/cleaning courses and certified training done.

 Displaying Posters to develop consciousness about preventive steps and promoting respiratory
hygiene, hand washing & social distancing along with emergency helpline number, at easily
noticeable/strategic places on shooting sets/dining place/edit rooms/fresh rooms etc

 Negative ion machine – ionizer (air purifier) that helps destroy bacteria – use it in the studio, sets
and office to keep the air clean.

 Monthly Swab Test like Microbiology Labs to check the sanitization of studio, sets and office.
 There should be different sets of clothes and footwear for travelling and for the set. It would be
ideal if transport can be provided to everyone on the set as travelling by public transport could
be tricky.

 Hair wigs /extensions must undergo deep cleaning before and after any application.

 Art department must step up cleaning of props and surfaces throughout the shoot and between
takes.

 Product consumption shots must undergo a step up in hygiene practices since sometimes an
actor has to consume either a beverage or food, which needs to be handled well.

 Sharing of cigarettes (often seen on many sets), should be stopped on set/offices/studios.

 The practice of 20 litre water jars being picked up from their opening cap should be strictly
avoided. The loading/unloading of eatables/beverages should be done using moving trolleys to
avoid hand contacts of multiple loading staff.

 Cover all the equipment and chairs with thick plastic.

 Certain Staff should be designated as Stay at Home (STH)/ /Work From Home (WFH) on a
rotational basis. Provide employees with Laptops and Dongles/Internet facility or allowance to
ensure smooth functioning during work from home scenarios, wherever applicable. Ensure
efficient IT infrastructural capability to maintain smooth operational flow. During this period,
they should treat the same as “office working”, stay/work at home and be available for
conference calls or remote login as prescribed. In case of any illness during this period they must
report the same to requisite authorities.

 All Operational Managers must familiarize themselves with the Operational and contingency
plans and explain the same to all staff working with them.
 Significant points for Safe Filming – recommended
basic measures

1. Tests for acting and related professions - All actors, stuntmen and possibly extras who
come into contact with the actors should prove their state of health with a negative COVID-19
test. Tests according to the doctor's recommendation must be in the form of swab, not
rapid tests, which currently have low reliability.

For the tests to be relevant, it is essential that actors after testing adhere to the quarantine
rules. In this context, it will be important to consider testing when scheduling filming.

a. Actors – Actors, stunt doublers and stuntmen being part of the scenes with actors must
undergo testing just like actors and follow the same rules.

b. Extras in scenes without actors - They should have their own department; they must wear
face masks except the shooting scene.

c. Extras in scenes with actors - Extras in scenes with actors - where the shot requires a distance
shorter than 2 m - must undergo testing just like actors and they must be separated from the
other extras.

d. Negative test in combination with following the quarantine rules – It can replace wearing a
face mask - when necessary - for the key crew members. It is recommended to test the key crew
members as their exclusion from filming, due to a suspected infection could endanger the entire
project.

e. Make-up - Make-up artists must have separately a set of make-ups for actors and people at
points "a", "c" and "d" and separately for extras in scenes without actors. They are also required
to wear respirators and protective gloves. It is recommended to consider having different make-
up artists for actors and for extras.

Alternatively, artists must be convinced and persuaded to carry out most of their get up at their
residence and visit sets with as little support staff as possible (ideally just one). Preferably, same
person/staff should handle artist makeup and hair styling. Wherever possible, artist should
undertake his or her own make-up “minor touch ups” throughout shooting, instead of the make-
up artist, to avoid contact with artist’s perspiration.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Basic protective equipment can be divided into three
categories: face masks (protects others), respirators (protects the wearer, but can spread the
infection) and rubber / latex gloves.

Masks, acrylic face guard, headgear and medical hand gloves for all actors, directors, hair, make-
up person to be provided with proper instructions about their usage. Lightman or anyone who is
lifting lights or other equipment to be provided industrial hand gloves with proper training about
their usage.
 What to do:
a. Determine which PPE you will use. Establish a system for the issuing, exchange and
control of the use of PPE.

b. Face mask - Count with 4 masks per 1 crew member over the 12-hour long shoot day. Applies
to every person present on the shoot, including external contractors. The Shields worn by
dentists to prevent splattering is a good option to cover the face, especially for artists, make-up
and hair people when in close proximity.

c. Protective half mask with exhalation filter - An alternative to face masks for actors
and crew is a protective half mask with inhalation and exhalation filter (easier
breathing, filters can be cleaned, masks disinfected, higher protection standard than
FFP3 and the crew member lasts longer when wearing it). It means lower costs,
especially with a high number of filming days ahead.

d. Respirators - in order to protect the entire crew, respirators - ideally of the FFP3 class - should
be worn primarily by actors and crew members having a negative COVID-19 test.

e. Protective gloves against viruses and bacteria - construction department and other
designated individuals must wear protective gloves. Hazardous surfaces that actors are going to
touch must be disinfected. (For disinfection of premises, it is necessary to support the
construction department by temporary workers, for larger projects to hire specialized
companies).

f. Protective gloves for other professions - crew members leaving the filming location (eg.
production, drivers or runners, etc.) must be equipped with protective gloves to prevent
contamination of the filming area.

3. Personal disinfection - it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene during the filming:
a. The same procedure as for PPE applies here: determine which measures you will use.
Establish a system for dispensing, replacing and controlling use.

b. Personal disinfection - if the scene being shot is extensive, crew members must carry pocket
disinfectant wipes or a 30 ml bottle of personal disinfectant, so they don’t have to leave during
filming to hand disinfectant stands.

c. Hand disinfectant stands - stands with hand disinfectant gel need to be placed near the
facilities, catering and directly on the set.

d. Disinfection of objects - when filming in a public space in the city and in a place with a high
concentration of people, it’s recommended to consider space disinfection by spraying (especially
for large productions).

e. Filming in vehicles etc. - Production should provide the disinfection of all vehicles, as well as
the production should secure disinfection of the fleet that carries the crew and actors.

f. Workspace disinfection - when filming in exteriors, make-up and costume department should
disinfect their working stations and chairs for actors.

g. Costume disinfection - it is important that the costumes undergo regular disinfection. The
frequency will be dependent on the individual risk assessment.
4. On-site organization - it is necessary to take into account - especially in the first months - more
space requirements for the use of locations in a public space, so that crew members can be
separated, as mentioned above in point 2. At the same time, sufficient space must be available
for the crew to eat so they can be spaced from each other. It is advisable to give priority to
portable chairs over standard benches. Precautions to be taken about maintaining proper
distance between various people on shooting location so that any containment of virus through
touch, mouth, nose and eye is avoided. Create squares on the locations for everyone to stand
and people can only stand in those squares else distancing will not be possible.

a. Separation of specific crew groups - key crew members, actors and other professions that are
difficult to replace should be separated from the rest of the crew (e.g. they should have their
own costume room, facilities, make-up room, catering area etc.).

Specific measures may vary from project to project and must be processed in an individual risk
assessment.

b. Transhipment points - it is recommended for large projects to set up transhipment points

dedicated for suppliers outside the set with the possibility of disinfecting transported material.

c. Limit the number of cast/crew & avoid outdoor shoots: Rotational Attendance System to be
introduced with Small and limited crews to be used for shoots. All the departments should be
asked to keep condensed unit strictly with the exception of certain departments like Production
Department, On-Set Security, Catering and Transport which might have to increase their work
strength to enforce and put into place COVID 19 work guidelines. Majority of the shoots to be
planned in indoor sets and outdoor locations to be avoided.

d. Avoid senior cast and crew members above 60 years - Crew above the age of 60 years should
be avoided at least for three months from the date of shooting as and when it starts and Cast
above the age of 60 years should be judicially used.

5. Temperature measurement - Every crew/cast member should undergo temperature

measurement with a contactless thermometer before the start of the shooting day and
before entering the shooting location. Any new incoming subcontractors undergo temperature
measurement upon arrival. Human body temperature limits must be with accordance to the
country specific health regulations.

A junior level MBBS doctor must be present on all sets for initial 3 months. A certified nurse
should also be present on sets at all times. Create form for each person involved in the shoot
and the nurse should note down his temperature on the form using a body temperature
detector and oxygen level using a pulse oximeter, which is essential now. If oxygen level falls
below 94, that person should be immediately checked. Details such as his mode of travel,
medical history, age should be part of this form. Anyone with a high temperature cannot enter
the set. Unit members to be issued an identifier once they pass temperature screening - for
instance wearing of a green sticker for clear screening identification. Any crew member who
feels unwell during the course of the shoot must immediately report to the on-set nurse who
must report to the production company. Ambulance shall be available on standby.
6. Catering - Staff members may be ideally advised to carry home prepared food .It is necessary to
make sure that food can be distributed in a take-away fashion, when each crew member moves
away from the catering after taking their food, so the social distancing rule can be adhered to. It
is important to ensure that crew members have enough space when eating to follow rules of
social distancing (including refreshments during the day). There is no need to have more than
one catering place if all meals, including main meals are packaged separately.

Also use of disposable items – plates, cutleries etc. must be encouraged and for all the disposed
items, a designated place should be provided to dispose off the same and proper hygiene will
have to be maintained.

Only water bottles should be provided to the crew. There will be no usage of water dispenser.
Tea, coffee etc to supplied through vending machines. Also, multiple food and beverages
stations should be provided with microwave. Dry snacks, fruits juices, etc to be placed only in
the specified area so people just go and collect them in a self-service manner.

7. Securing the location - is divided into securing the location and location recce.
a. During filming - it will be important to ensure a consistent and a secure lock-up to prevent
any unauthorized personnel from entering. Each shoot location to be provided adequate hand
washing & antibacterial solutions/hand sanitizers/regularly refilled hand rub dispensers should
be strategically placed at all operational clusters, entry and exit points as well as in the proximity
of food and beverages sections, so as to be used throughout the shoot by all crew members.
Make hand washing mandatory for everyone with soap on entry to the set. If possible,
arrangement for bathing must be made. For those who are likely to come in close contact such
as hairdresser, make up person, actors, use a mouthwash to gargle that is normally provided at
dental clinics.

Record of each and every person should be maintained throughout the shooting schedule every
day. This helps when anybody asymptomatic turns out to be positive to determine the course of
treatment and further course of action.

CCTV cameras to be made mandatory on shooting locations and they need to be monitored
regularly to check anyone showing symptoms of any disease including COVID-19.

Dedicated COVID Help on set to make sure that all the sanitisation, check in, check out, on-set
hygiene and safety procedures are maintained. One or two persons (referred to as Anti-COVID
Boys) per set to be dedicated for this job.

b. During pre-production - When the crew is recceing potential locations the sites must be
treated as if they were infected (unless they were disinfected ahead of the recce) and the crew
must use PPE when recceing the site. The specifics to be defined in the risk assessment.

8. Necessary documentation - Each production should have these measures implemented in its
risk assessments, and they should also require this implementation in risk assessments of their
suppliers.

If you need help with risk assessments, you can contact an authorised H&S specialist in your
country.
 Before filming commences, production and suppliers need to become familiar with the risks and
measures for filming (not only in terms of the risk of infection). This familiarisation must be
confirmed in writing, for example by signing the attendance list during the briefing training.

Obligations to comply with these precautions and submit COVID-19 tests must be
implemented in contracts with individual members of crew, as well as any sanctions and liability
for damages in case of non-compliance.

Information boards such as below are recommended to be placed at the shooting locations.

Bearing in mind that this is a fundamental change in workflow compared to the pre-pandemic time,
reminder of measures in this form is important.

9. Management during filming - measures adopted to secure any possible contagion must be
coordinated at the filming location by a Film safety specialist or Occupational Health and Safety
(OHS) Manager or a trained authorized person who will be responsible for coordinating and
supervising the anti-contagion measures.

The differences between the individual coordinators in terms of competencies are:

a. Production safety specialists - participated in creating risk assessment, they are able and
qualified to creatively adapt measures of OHS to the needs of the script based on their
knowledge of production technology, problematics and its need. They coordinate work with risk
assessments of subcontractors and supervise correct documentation.
 b. OHS Managers - are OHS qualified individuals for occupational safety management, they are
qualified to modify the above measures - usually purely from the OHS perspective without an
artistic context. They coordinate work with risk assessments of subcontractors and supervise
correct documentation.

c. Trained authorized individuals (eg production) - they are only authorised to observe the
established measures by following a checklist prepared at the beginning of the shoot. They are
not authorised to change the measures, but to assure their compliance and to monitor the
training documentation.

10. Waste management - Disposable face masks, gloves, etc. must be treated as hazardous waste -
the used ones to be put into solid plastic bags and to be handled with protective gloves and then
disposed of. When fabric face masks are used, the crew members must have sealable plastic
bags and also the possibility of boiling them for sterilisation purposes.

If one of the members of the crew or subcontractors has violated or refused to comply with the
security measures taken, they would be excluded from filming. The full support from the
producer will be crucial when implementing these measures.