by Tim Wade, IATSE Safety Chair

Recently I have received phone calls from Local 600 Camera Operator asking me why they are being asked to wear a safety harness while they are working on an Insert Car. The answer to that question is one that is personal in nature.

As outlined in Safety Bulletin #8, Guidelines for "Camera Insert Cars" under bullet point 4: "All personnel riding on the camera car must be provided a safe and secure place to ride, (to avoid the possibility of fall or hazard). This may be accomplished by either a safety railing placed at the appropriate height for the layout of the camera car or by an appropriate safety harness properly secured."

The key are the words above that give us a choice: by either a safety railing or by a safety harness.

To avoid a crewmember being injured while working on an Insert Car, the company must take appropriate action to avoid the possibility of injury, whether they are shooting or simply returning to the base camp for another setup.

As someone riding in the Insert Car, you have a personal decision to make: What is the best way to protect yourself from injury?

For me personally, my preference is to be encapsulated in a cage made out of speed rail rather than being tethered to the Insert Car with a safety harness. I make that decision because I feel I would have a greater chance to survive an "injury roll-over" by being thrown from the vehicle rather than being attached to the Insert Car by a safety harness. The only time that I would opt to use a safety harness would be when the shot required me to be in a position where safety rail could not be used to protect me.

Every day at work we have to make many decisions about a variety of things. When it comes to safety, careful consideration must be given, however, to protect yourself and other crew-members.

Do not put yourself at risk of being injured by taking chances. The idea is that everyone goes home at the end of the day in the same condition they went to work.

If you have any questions regarding safety in the industry please, feel free to contact me at the Guilds National office (323) 876-0160.

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