@The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Hazard identification and risk management

Explore safety requirements within the entertainment industry

Student VET entertainment resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 11 and 12 VET entertainment

What will I learn?

You will:

  • participate in the risk management process

  • discuss WHS consultation.

Schools Spectacular 2019 (Photo Credit: Anna Warr)

Hazard versus risk

Watch the video 'Hazard vs Risk'.

Define the difference between each and discuss different examples from the entertainment industry.

Hazard vs Risk

Duration: 01:30

Risk management

There are several steps in the risk management process:

  1. Identify the hazard – anything that could cause illness or injury.

  2. Assess the risk – what is the risk the hazard will result in illness or injury? How severe is the consequence of the hazard?

  3. Control the risk - eliminate or minimise the risk.

  4. Review and monitor - hazards and control measure to ensure they are working.

All risk management is done with consistent consultation with all key stakeholders.

Potential hazards and safety breaches

The first step in the risk management process includes the identification of potential hazards in the entertainment industry is a major step in minimising safety breaches to yourself, colleagues, customers/clients and others typical to the industry.

The range of hazards that could occur include:

  • the use of hazardous and non-hazardous materials

  • human factors, including fatigue (self and others)

  • undertaking manual handling

  • using tools, equipment and machinery

  • the specific work environment, eg. confined spaces

  • specific work processes and practices, including: working at heights; in a confined space; in the dark and/or in reduced/adverse lighting conditions; on special effects, stunts or action sequences; and with electricity and cabling.


A general safety audit is a close evaluation of all elements of safety within a workplace, including a theatre or performance space. They can be undertaken by anyone, however a WHS committee will usually complete an audit. As a result of the audit hazard identification forms are completed and then the risk management process is started.

TASKS:

  • Identify and discuss the potential hazards within each stage of pre-production, production and post production of a musical theatre performance. Ensure you consider both back stage and front of house contexts.

  • Undertake a safety audit or your school hall or performance space to identify potential hazards.

Risk Assessment

The second step in the risk management process includes the assessment of foreseeable risk in any circumstance.

Each potential risk is given a rating as to:

    • the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring and

    • the consequence that might result from the hazard or the risk.

This risk rating is given before and then again after control measures are implemented.

There are various types of risk matrix' to assist in the rating of potential risks which will commonly rate a risk from insignificant or low to catastrophic or extreme.

Watch the video 'Risk and how to use a risk matrix' to see how a risk matrix is used in various examples.

Risk and how to use a risk matrix

Duration: 05:28

TASK:

Using the potential hazards you identified in the previous safety audit of your school hall or performance space rate the risk of each using this risk assessment matrix.

Use the following risk management plan (RMP) as a template to create your plan.

Risk Management Plan - template.docx
risk assessment matrix

Risk control

The third step in the risk management process includes identifying control measures that need to be put in place to minimise the potential risks.

Watch the video 'Hazard Control Measures' to understand the different types of safety control measures.

Hazard Control Measures

Duration: 02:13

There is a risk control hierarchy:

  1. eliminate the risk

  2. minimise the risk:

    • substitution

    • modification

    • isolation

    • engineering control.

  1. other controls:

  • signage

  • administration

  • safe work practices

  • personal protective equipment (PPE).


hierarchy of control diagram

TASK:

Continuing with the development of your RMP, using the potential hazards you identified and risk rated in the safety audit of your school hall or performance space, now establish the most effective control measures for each one.

Continue to use the risk management plan template.

TASK:

Complete the following 2 summary tasks to reinforce your knowledge and understanding of the risk management process.

Watch the video 'Job Hazard Analysis' to see how the risk assessment process works all together with a detailed manual handling example.

Job Hazard Analysis

Duration: 04:43

Watch the video with 2 items 'Summer' and 'Adventures on Earth' from Schools Spectacular 2019 and complete a detailed risk assessment for the hazards you identity from the performances.

Use the risk management plan template and sample risk matrix for this task.

Schools Spectacular 2019 - Summer and Adventures on Earth

Duration: 06:39

Monitor and review

The fourth step in the risk management process is the continual monitoring and reviewing of your risk management plans to ensure they are still effective.

Circumstances and environments change constantly and therefore risks and their control measures need to be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned. It is no good waiting until something fails.

WHS regulations require that reviews are conducted in specific situations:

    • when the control measure is not effective in controlling the risk

    • if something is to change and a new uncontrolled safety risk may appear

    • if a new hazard or risk is identified

    • if the results of consultation indicate that a review is necessary

    • if a health and safety representative requests a review.

WHS consultation

Consultation in work, health and safety is an ongoing process that involves relevant industry bodies, as well as individuals within a workplace to ensure a safe work environment.

Watch the video 'SafeWork NSW inspectors' to explore the role they have and how they can assist a workplace.

SafeWork NSW inspectors

Duration: 02:57

It is vital that employers ensure there are opportunities for workers to provide input into WHS consultation and participation processes and ways for this to occur include:

      • WHS audits

      • formal and informal discussions

      • WHS inspections

      • WHS meetings

      • regular training.

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