1. Unit 6: Ensure Your Own Actions Reduce Risks to Health
and Safety
1.1 Define hazards and risks
Hazard – Something that can cause harm to a person or object
Risk – The possibility of harm to a person or object
For example, a tripod leg that is in the way is a hazard, which provides a risk of
tripping over it and causing damage.
1.2 Outline key hazards and risks in own workplace, describing safe working
practices
In my workplace there is a lot of electrical equipment across the building. This
provides a risk as if one piece of equipment becomes faulty, it could blow and cause
damage to everyone and everything around it. There are also a lot of people in the
building, which can be a hazard in itself as there is the risk that a room may get
overcrowded and people may trip on each other. There is also an increased risk of
illness spreading as there are more people in a closer space.
1.3 Outline key hazards and risks within own job role, describing precautions
Within my job, I regularly set up tripods for cameras. These need to be set up
carefully as there is a risk of a tripod leg sticking out, which someone can then trip
over, damaging both them and the camera as the tripod would be likely to fall then.
To prevent this I always make sure that it is well out of the way from where a lot of
people will walk.
I also use handheld cameras whilst roaming around a lot. When doing this I need to
make sure that my environment is tidy and safe as I will be mostly moving without
looking down at my feet. This increases the risk of me tripping and damaging myself
and the camera so I need to make sure that there are as few hazards in my
environment as possible.
I also spend a lot of time editing, which involves looking at a computer screen for a
long period of time. I need to make sure that I take regular breaks as the screens can
hurt my eyes and sitting in a similar position for a long period of time has the
potential to damage my back and neck.
2.1 Identify own responsibilities for health and safety in own workplace and job
role under health and safety legislation, explaining the importance of
personal presentation and behaviour
When setting up tripods, it is my responsibility to set them up in a safe place and any
damage caused by badly placed tripods would be my fault. If it is impossible to avoid
a trip hazard then I must make sure that everyone who will be around the tripod is
aware of its position and the risk of tripping over it. I also need to be well presented
and hygienic to avoid spreading disease and illness to anyone else. If I get anything
like a cut, I need to make sure I see a first aider ASAP to avoid dripping blood.

2. 2.2 Describe procedures for dealing with risks outside the scope of own
responsibility, identifying the appropriate personnel with whom to liaise in
own workplace
It is important that you work as a team. In other words, don’t think that something
isn’t your problem bec ause you aren’t responsible for it. If you have notic ed
something that can be hazardous, it is then your responsibility to remove the hazard
and make the place safer. If you notice that something has been left out and you
know where it should go, put it back then report that it was left out. If you notice that
a piece of equipment is faulty, you should safely remove it from the room and put it
to a safe place, out the way of working equipment. You should then log and report the
malfunction so that the equipment can either be fixed or thrown away appropriately.
If you notice that someone is hurt, immediately take them to the first aider.
3.1 Identify workplace instructions relevant to own job
In my workplace, we have a set of rules and regulations that make sure everyone in
the building is safe. These include keeping your workspace tidy, reporting any
hazards, seeking immediate medical attention if a problem occurs. We also need to
make sure that everybody knows where the fire exits and the fire extinguishers are in
case of a fire. This makes sure that everyone is able to get out of the building in a
dangerous situation.
3.2 Identify any unsafe practices in own workplace and job role
There have been a few problems in my workplace in the past. One example is that
there was a faulty electrical heater that was sparking whenever it was plugged in.
Once spotted, this was immediately reported and dealt with. In my own job role,
there has been the problem of a tripod being set up unsafely. This caused me to
almost trip on it. Luc kily, I avoided a fall and the tripod and c amera wasn’t damaged.
I immediately moved the tripod to a safer location.
3.3 Check which potentially unsafe working practices present the highest risk to
self and others
Examples of some of the potentially most hazardous practices in a workplace are:
Obstructing fire exits – This gives the risk of death as people won’t be able to
safely escape from a fire.
Tampering with circuitry – Provides the risk of death as all electrical equipment
can blow if the electricity is tampered with.
Wielding dangerous equipment unsafely – Holding something such as a knife
unsafely, e.g. swinging it around, can provide the risk of death if someone gets in the
way of it.
3.4 Take action to address any hazards in accordance with workplace procedures
and legal requirements
When doing a project that I know will have risks I will create a risk assessment
(example in my folder). This allows me to list out all hazards, the risk they give to
people and equipment and the severity of the risk. This lets me make sure that the
workplace is as safe as possible when filming.

3. 4.1 Work safely in accordance with own level of competence, relevant
instructions and legal requirements, following environmentally friendly
practices
It is important that when undertaking a task, you have the appropriate training to do
the task safely. If you don’t have the training, don’t do the task as you will be a
hazard yourself to others around you. If you do have the training, make sure you are
aware of everything around you and that your environment is safe for you and
everyone else.
4.2 Manage any health and safety risks within own capability and responsibility
As previously stated, I have moved tripods that have caused a trip hazard, which is
something I am capable of doing as I know where to put tripods to get the best
positioning for the camera whilst keeping it safe. It is also my responsibility as a film
maker to make sure that all film equipment isn’t c ausing a risk to my c olleagues and
the public.
4.3 Suggest ways of reducing risks to health and safety to the appropriate
personnel
The best way to be able to reduce risks to health and safety is to get appropriate
training. This will allow you to be aware of how to spot risks and hazards and the best
way to prevent/remove them. It is also a good idea to attend these
4.4 Report any differences between workplace and suppliers’ or manufacturers’
instructions
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