According to British health and safety law, the main requirement placed on employers (the photographer/studio owner) is to carry out a risk assessment. Employers with five or more employees need to record the significant findings of the risk assessment.
Risk assessment should be straightforward in a simple workplace such as a typical photographic studio or on location. It should only be complicated if it deals with serious hazards such as those in a darkroom using chemicals, however we will not be using the darkroom for this project.
To make ourselves aware of the risks involved in using the photography studio and to additionally be prepared to react to any possible problems, it is essential to follow these five steps;
1) Identify potential hazards.
2) Decide who might be harmed.
3) Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
4) Record your findings and implement them.
5) Review your assessment and update if necessary.
Studio Risk Assessment
Of particular risk are; low hanging lights, upturned corners on backdrop, tripod legs, props being left out, hot bulbs and light attachments, models in heels or other less suitable footwear, cables and wires left on the floor
These risks will affect anyone present in the studio at the time - photographers, assistants, models, makeup artists, etc.
The main threats identified are that of hitting your head, tripping up or burning your hands, etc.
Avoiding these problems is relatively simple. At the end of every usage of the studio it should be made sure that the lights are stripped back and raised to the proper height. The backdrop should be returned to its rolled up storage state. All pieces of equipment and props that have been used should be returned to the appropriate storage areas. Before the lights are handled and attachments changed they should be left to cool down.
Anybody unfamiliar with the studio, its set up and the safety protocols, should be made familiar with all aspects before they are allowed to partake in a shoot. All equipment that is to be used should be introduced and basic operation training should take place to ensure safe usage.
At all times, common sense should be used to avoid silly mistakes or accidents.