Safety Scene Summer 2019 | Page 11

This information is intended to assist with conducting New and Young Worker Orientations, which is required by law in British Columbia. “New worker” means any worker who is: (a) new to the workplace (b) returning to a workplace where the hazards in that workplace have changed during the worker’s absence (c) affected by a change in the hazards of a workplace, or (d) relocated to a new workplace if the hazards in that workplace are different from the hazards in the worker’s previous workplace; “Young worker” means any worker who is under 25 years of age. Initial orientation is required every time a worker begins work at a new workplace; this includes studios, production offices, shops and locations. An orientation is not required when a worker who has had an initial orientation returns or is relocated to a workplace or location AND there are no new hazards or changes that may affect the worker. Reorientation of workers is required whenever there is a change in the workplace location or change of hazards that may affect the health and safety of the worker. In this case the only additional orientation required would be the identification of new or site-specific hazards, or changes in emergency procedures (ie. first aid location and contact information). Subsection 1: An employer must ensure that every young or new worker is given a health and safety orientation and training specific to that young or new worker’s workplace. WHAT It is critical for location and studio hazard assessments to be completed and shared to all concerned parties. Issues arise when hazards are identified on the assessment, but that the information is not communicated to the appropriate departments — especially to workers who may be the first arrivals at the worksite. Important: There should be a documented discussion of the hazard assessments with department heads and supervisors. HOW Group orientation can be given to all workers covering topics as necessary to the call and site. Individual orientation and documentation of workers arriving for late calls is important. 1 of 4 Workers can receive an orientation over the phone if they will be working alone or will be first on a site. Again, if there are no unusual hazards then an orientation is not required for experienced workers, however they must be warned of site specific hazards and informed about emergency procedures. Important: Supervisors should keep notes documenting telephone orientations; email orientations require a response or confirmation. WHO Identified in the Regulations as being the employer’s responsibility, it is also the employer’s responsibility to educate and train supervisors to understand and assist with these. Examples of supervisors who may need to provide It is helpful for production offices to prepare a an orientation: package for department heads during ● 1st AD for shooting Crew pre-production, providing an overview of an ● 2nd AD for Cast orientation and sufficient copies of orientation ● Department Head, Key or Assistant for checklists for the duration of the production. The workers in their department Supervisors can use a copy of the checklist each ● Background Wrangler for Background day, date it, sign it and file it. When orienting groups ● Subject Matter Experts on specific activities of workers who will not be listed on the DPR, circulate (ie. stunts, spfx, marine, extreme locations) a sign-in sheet and keep it on file. Summer 2019 Edition: Orientation Safety Scene 9