Interactive Video Risk Assessment and Location Recce

The Risk Assessment

There are a multitude of risks that are present in a salon, with sharp tools, electrical equipment and chemicals present, a lot can go wrong. Below is a risk assessment to provide health and safety insight into producing a more safely-made and thoughtfully carried-out interactive video.

Potential Risks:

• Electric shock induced by water and electricity mixing – This is an unlikely risk with harsh consequences, and so it is worth making sure no water is near any electrical supply when filming. At the very least, caps/lids should be screwed onto water bottles and flasks during recording, but ideally there is no water or liquids of any sort present during filming.
• Lacerations caused by scissors – This is a possible risk with severe consequences, which in truth, is more the responsibility of the hairdressing students and staff to take care of, but precautions must be taken by the production crew as well. Injuries caused by scissors can be avoided by keeping the said tools out of arms reach and on a workplace away from any edges and corners, so that it is highly unlikely that they are knocked off of their work stations.
• Trips, slips and falls – This is a very broad and general scope for injury which given the amount of kit carried around and the limited amount of space in the salon, is a likely risk with varying consequence depending of course on the severity of the slip, trip or fall and of course the area of the injury. The way that this can be avoided, is if during production, we are wary of our surroundings and place all of our equipment in safe spaces, away from walkways and equipment from the salon. I also feel that ensuring the wooden floorboards of the salon are dry and this in turn ties into the spillage risks. So long as the area itself is safe, spacious and dry, all should hopefully be well.
• Blunt force trauma from media equipment – There is a very low chance off such a mishap occurring, but it is possible that a camera could be dropped on someone’s foot, or a tripod could fall on someone and get someone hurt. This is however very easily avoided, by being mindful of one’s surroundings and setting up the kit in a proper and professional manor, so that there is little to no chance of anything falling over or knocking into anyone.
• Temporary Minor Retina Damage induced by Lighting Equipment – If the lighting equipment is suddenly switched on and the interviewee is looking directly at the light, this could result in temporary and minor retina damage, this will hurt the interviewee’s eyes and could lead to them seeing faint patterns temporarily burnt into their retina, which is unpleasant for them and also, makes us appear unprofessional, careless and clumsy. I feel that this can very easily be remedied, by encouraging the interviewee not to look at the lighting equipment when we switch it on, or to have someone stand in the way to shield the gaze.

The Location Recce

The location for our interactive video/interview shall be the hairdressing salon of Strode College, which is located in the A Block of the college, situated near other classrooms for similar courses, such as the beauty salon upstairs and the barbers next-door.

The salon is a professional and neat environment, perfect for filming our interview. The salon is not however, the most practical environment to be carrying out an interview, with the reason being that even though the salon is in the college, the salon is still a salon and thus, appointments can be made by anyone and during appointments or when clients are being seen to, it can be difficult to secure an interview as the clients are not to be disturbed and on top of that, this will often mean that staff and students alike are occupied.

During hands on and heavily practical lessons, the salon is also out of bounds as the students are required to listen and to pay attention to the tutor who will most likely be doing a hands-on demonstration of the tasks, methods and techniques required of the students for their upcoming practical assignment.

When available however, the salon is a superb place for an interview and can provide you with one of the best mise-en-scenes possible in the college, due to the fact that the practical work is very visible and easy to pick up on. For example, history would involve students writing, and this does not make for a very interesting mise-en-scene and also does not visibly set the course apart from any others. However, when it comes to hairdressing, the viewer is treated to a marvellous mise-en-scene of hardworking students cutting and styling hair to the best of their ability, looking focused and committed to the task at hand.

Above is a rough overview of what the salon looks like with the main focus being on the works stations as they are the prime areas of potential risks and hazards.