Production Safety Essentials: Problem Solving & Teamwork

Safety on set is a peculiar task. There are so many layers of operations with just as many moving parts that are all occurring at the same time. From stunts and rigging to lighting and SPFX to on-location work and so much more, it can seem like an endless amount of hazards present themselves each day on set. Not only does each department of a production pose their own trade-specific risks, but depending on the nature of creative direction, a production has the potential to have unique risks not yet seen by any previous production. By nature of the filming industry, it would be hard to standardize these unique workplace hazards, and you certainly would never be able to address all these safety risks alone. Thus, the ability to exercise problem solving and teamwork are essential tools of a safety program that contribute to saving lives on set.

One of the best ways production leadership can maintain unit cohesion during prep and filming is to hold themselves accountable for all decisions that could affect cast or crew safety. Through accountability, advocacy shines. With this top-down approach, production leadership is able to promote a sense of teamwork that truly includes all company employees. Then safety no longer becomes a burden or a punishment, but a positively reinforced standard. This new standard of safety will open the door for organic conversations on how to problem solve through the unique obstacles of filming.

Martine Haas and Mark Mortenson cover “The Secrets of Great Teamwork” in the Harvard Business Review. They list the enabling conditions of great teamwork as:

• Compelling direction

• Strong Structure

• Supportive context

• Shared mindset

There are certainly instances related to safety that are absolutes and go without negotiation. For example, an employee on a Condor must wear a harness, or fire extinguishers must be current with their periodic inspections. There's no question that there are local, state, and federal policies that must be followed. But what if production is planning on flipping a car at 50mph with a stunt player inside and a 'propane popper' going off during the roll? Or what if production plans to do a full-body burn? You as the individual must have the ability to be dynamic in the planning of inherently risky shooting sequences. Your ability to utilize the expertise of the team coupled with the ability to critically think is what reinforces the value that you bring to the table. It's not me vs. you. It's us vs. the problem at hand.

A helpful tool utilized by U.S. military special operations for decision making and problem solving is known as ‘OODA Loop’:

• Observe

• Orient

• Decide

• Act

• Repeat

If you've ever spent a day on a large set, you understand that it can feel overwhelming. It can feel like every problem that comes up is given the credit of utmost priority regardless of its true nature. You are accountable to your team to properly separate emergencies from non-emergencies. It is your responsibility as a production safety representative, a department head, or production leadership to not dilute the spectrum of issues with an unwarranted response. Every moment that presents an obstacle is an opportunity to inject positivity into the team and to show how problem solving better serves a culture of vigilance.