Safety
Best Practices
Tens of thousands of firearms, firing millions of blanks, are used on sets every year. The high standards of dedicated professionals, such as Property Masters and the Armorers they oversee, as well as existing protocols are why incidents involving firearms are exceedingly rare on sets.
Two safety bulletins from Contract Services outline protocols for firearm safety and the use of blank ammunition.These Safety Bulletins are researched, written, and distributed to cover a range of safety issues. They are the result of close collaboration between guild, union, and management representatives active in industry safety and health programs.
It is standard operating practice that prop firearms are always kept in a locked container, under the control of the armorer. Before a firearm is used onset, every cast and crew member involved in the weapons scene must be thoroughly briefed at an on-site safety meeting. This meeting includes a “dry run” with the Property Master, a production representative, and anyone that will be handling the weapon.
Personal protective equipment, such as shields, eye and hearing protection are provided to everyone in close proximity to the weapon. With the exception of speciality blanks designed for close quarters, our stand off safe practices are 20 feet between the muzzle of the firearm and any person or object that could be harmed by blank gunfire.
Everyone on a film or television set is part of the chain of safety. Producers have a responsibility to choose the right personnel for the job and the right sources for equipment. Film sets often have a studio safety officer, who is in charge of all aspects of maintaining a safe working environment. It is the responsibility of the armorer, often assisted by the Property Master, to make sure weapons are handled appropriately. It is the responsibility of the First Assistant Director to ask that the armor show him or hear that the firearm is safe before it is used on set. Cast members have the duty to behave appropriately when handling a weapon.
It is the duty of every cast and crew member to report unsafe or dangerous behavior. See something, say something.
