On-Set Firearms Weapons and Stunts: Television and film production sets involve various activities that can be hazardous, potentially leading to severe injuries or fatalities. These risks include the use of firearms, weapons, and stunts. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, producers must implement precautions and control measures throughout the production process.
Common hazards on sets can arise from diverse activities such as alcohol and drug use, animal handling, bullying, burns, diseases from animals, elevated work platforms, events involving short-term fuel storage, lighting, mobile plant operation, slips, trips, falls, and work at heights.
Using firearms, weapons, and executing stunts carries inherent risks of serious physical harm or death. These activities demand special attention in safety planning and procedures to prevent accidents such as accidental discharge of firearms, mishandling of weapons, falls, collisions, burns, cuts, hearing loss, and other injuries.
Workers and management should collaborate to mitigate workplace hazards. Following guidelines from Screen Safety Australia, especially those concerning high-risk production activities, helps establish safe work practices and environments on set and in public spaces, like during street filming.
Key firearm safety measures include ensuring no live ammunition on set, having firearms supervised by trained and licensed armorers, obtaining professional advice for operable firearms in Queensland, and modifying firearms to prevent accidental discharge as per Queensland laws.
Workers are responsible for their own health and safety and that of others. They should only engage in stunt work they are qualified for, follow armorers' instructions, adhere to planned choreography, and wear provided personal protective equipment (PPE).
Employers, or those conducting business or undertakings (PCBUs), have a duty to manage production risks under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Following a four-step risk management process, including hazard identification, risk assessment, risk control, and review of risk controls, ensures compliance with workplace health and safety laws. Regularly reviewing and updating control measures is essential to maintain a safe working environment.
Standards and compliance
- Queensland: Weapons Act 1990, Weapons Regulations 1996
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
Codes of practice
- How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.65 MB)
- First aid in the workplace code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.48 MB)
- Work health and safety consultation, co-operation and co-ordination code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.49 MB)
- Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.57 MB)