In this information sheet 'must' denotes a legal obligation. Words such as 'do', 'should' etc are used to give advice on good practice.

Introduction

This document is one of a series prepared by the Joint Advisory Committee for Broadcasting and Performing Arts and gives specific advice about violence in the Broadcasting and Entertainment Industry. People whose work brings them into direct contact with the public may face aggressive or violent behaviour. Experience has shown that this can include extortion, intimidation, abuse, threats and actual physical attacks causing injury or even death.

The possibility of violence should be considered when planning broadcasts or filming, especially in the following areas:

• news and current affairs programmes
• documentaries
• drama series shot on location
• sports events.

Violence should never be accepted as 'one of those things'. It must be assessed and controlled in the same way as any other risk to health and safety.

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Hazards

Productions can encounter violence from many directions. These include:

• members of the public intending to steal or demanding 'protection';
• people who do not wish to be recorded;
• direct or indirect assault when caught in an affray;
• situations of public disorder or civil disturbance;
• conflicts with contractors, other productions or other members of your own crew;
• hostile 'authorities'/forces, eg crew arrested/kidnapped;
• people under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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Risk assessment

The person in control of the production must make an assessment of the risks and review it as necessary if more information becomes available. This assessment will then form the basis of discussion about whether or not to proceed and what precautions to take. Most violent incidents can be avoided or their effects diminished with simple pre-planning and a knowledge of the situation you may encounter. This should involve an on-site 'recce' of the location where this is possible.

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Precautionary measures

1. Public disorder/civil disturbance

   The following should be considered where public order or civil disturbance is expected:

   • wherever possible, find a high, safe vantage point. It will be invariably safer and will often allow a better view of the activity in question;
   • team size - lone operators should not be deployed in situations where violence is reasonably foreseeable;
   • routes in and out and means of transportation;
   • avoid conspicuous use of filming or recording equipment;
   • be prepared to leave if the presence of crew may inflame or prolong a dangerous situation;
   • the advantage or disadvantage of travelling in an unmarked vehicle;
   • using a local 'fixer' who knows the area;
   • means of communication;
   • the use of personal protective equipment, eg head protection, safety shoes, body armour etc;
   • co-operation with other broadcasting news agencies;
   • the use of security agencies ('minder').

   Anyone who is concerned about the general situation, with regard to violence or the threat of violence, or any specific safety aspect should be able independently to withdraw from the area. Any such withdrawal will alter the safety of a team and its effect must be assessed immediately.

2. Confrontation

   When faced with the threat of violence the following approaches may be useful, depending on the circumstances:

   • appear calm;
   • avoid prolonged eye contact;
   • be aware of the tone of your voice, speak slowly and softly and avoid long sentences;
   • keep your distance;
   • don't touch anyone threatening you;
   • be conscious of your posture, try to appear relaxed;
   • distraction, try to change the subject;
   • listen - try to take the time to listen, the main problem may be poor communication;
   • negotiate - there is no harm in compromise.
3. Weapons

   If a dangerous weapon is produced unexpectedly, or if gunshots are fired, the following should be considered:

   • immediate withdrawal;
   • the need to take cover. Car doors and even walls do not provide adequate protection against gunshots;
   • the risk of returned fire if you are near people who begin to shoot;
   • avoiding recently vacated firing positions.

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Dealing with the consequences of violence

If anyone has received any physical injury resulting from violence, medical advice should be sought where necessary.

Those who have been threatened with or experienced violence may need:

• counselling;
• to learn de-stressing techniques such as self-hypnosis, relaxation techniques, visualisation etc.

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Reporting incidents of violence

Injuries (physical injury or shock/distress) arising out of violence, and 'near-miss' incidents due to violence should always be reported to your employer, or whoever is contracting you.

A report should not be suppressed just because a person was hurt deliberately.

The better the reporting of violent incidents, the better the chances of developing effective systems to reduce the frequency, severity and impact of violence.

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) require that all acts of non-consensual violence done to persons at work be reported to the appropriate enforcing authority if they result in:

1. death, or
2. major injury, or
3. the person being incapacitated for the work they would normally be expected to do for more than three days.

REMEMBER - No story is worth a life. No recording is worth an arm or a leg.

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Useful reading and further information

Management of health and safety at work. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992. Approved Code of Practice 1992. HSE Books ISBN 0 7176 0412 8

Additional copies of this information sheet are available from HSE Books.

HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995 Website: www.hsebooks.co.uk (HSE priced publications are also available from bookshops and free leaflets can be downloaded from HSE’s website: www.hse.gov.uk.)

For information about health and safety ring HSE's Infoline Tel: 0845 345 0055 Fax: 0845 408 9566 Textphone: 0845 408 9577 e-mail: hse.infoline@natbrit.com or write to HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

This information sheet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.

This document is available at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/etis2.htm.

© Crown copyright This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. First published 06/96. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.

Published by the Health and Safety Executive

Printed and published by HSE 6/96 ETIS 2 C100

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