Public Liability, OHS, Workers Comp.

[StrictlyandLowdown]

Being a VJ in Australia has never been such hard work! (except when we used to lug boxes of VHS and fairlights to gigs many nights ago)

We've had PLI for a while now, reluctantly renew it every year as we are required to have it to perform at events (mostly festivals). Even though this is an expensive annual payout, I've come to terms with this now as it does offer us protection.

Now suddenly we are getting HUGE lists of paperwork we need to provide in order to perform at a festival. Granted, some of this is law, and we should by rights have it (for example workers compensation - workcover to cover any camera operators we might use), and yes I have produced filmclips for corporate music industry and have waded through tonnes of contracts, permit forms before...So I know about redtape...but it just seems to be getting really difficult and if I can finish this paragraph in an immature way, being an adult basically sucks.

I think sometimes production managers can't define who needs what...The list I got today.. (the blue card is basically a training course in Health+Safety on construction sites!!!)

I will need the following OHS documentation from you:

Blue Card
OHS Policy
Risk Assessment
Safe Work Method Statements
Workers Compensation Certificate of Currency
Electrical Testing & Tagging Register (can be presented first day on site)
Public Liability Certificate of Currency
Engineering Certificates - Manufactures Guidelines and Erection Certs

goddam boring. anyone else finding the OHS industry getting a tighter and tighter grip on these things???

I guess this is a general vent thread, but also wondering if anyone has advice or templates on OHS Policy or Safe Work Method Statements in terms of a VJ environment, because the only templates I can find are all office or similar...

[deepvisual]

here in London we had a guy who was refused candles on a birthday cake (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3736240.ece) because he didn't have a risk assessment.

[StrictlyandLowdown]

lolz. Oh the insanity of it all.

[Motionreactor]

I suppose you are just automatically expected to understand what they need, where to get the forms and how to fill them out too?

[fata alex]

im guessing its a uk/aussie difference, but what does OHS stand for?

i've been wondering the same sort of thing, where does one get experience in this sort of area, short of doing an event management course or a short stint working for the health&safety exec?

[SteveG]

i've been wondering the same sort of thing, where does one get experience in this sort of area, short of doing an event management course or a short stint working for the health&safety exec?

Normally it's an employer who would send you on the various courses they require cover in such as Risk Assesment etc. Get stuck in here if you want to be "The Man at Health & Safety" http://www.hse.gov.uk/
http://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/index.htm

[vdmoKstaTi]

I want candles on my cake dammit!!!

[asterix]

Ahhh all unwanted but necessary (and silly at the same time). Australia's the most over regulated part of the world.

Can I suggest ditching on rigged hardware hire for these larger events.

[fata alex]

i was really shocked once when we turned up to do a gig in london (the land of official-ness and regulations in comparison to country bumpkin land down here in cornwall) and both me and the other guy playing i'd come up with from cornwall with got shocks from the decks, turned out they were foreign models that had the earth connections botched in some way. the venue was equally shocked as they were using the same reputable hire company they had for years. We jsut thought you couldn't get away with stuff like that in the city whereas its expected down here in the boondocks!

[Donnie Darko]

Which city you from S&L?

[vdmoKstaTi]

Which city you from S&L?

they are from Brisbane