The Emerging Trend of Safety Coordinators on Film Sets: A Boon or a Burden?
In the dynamic world of film production, safety is paramount. The high-pressure environment of a film set demands vigilance to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of all personnel. Recently, a new trend has emerged: film productions are increasingly hiring safety coordinators to oversee on-set safety protocols. While this practice is well-intentioned, it mirrors the problematic rise of COVID Compliance Officers (CCOs) during the pandemic—many of whom lacked the medical training required to enforce protocols effectively. This trend is raising eyebrows among seasoned safety professionals such as set medics and water safety personnel, sparking tension and raising critical questions about the role and qualifications of these new safety coordinators.
The Roots of the Issue: Lessons from the Pandemic
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, productions scrambled to adapt to rapidly evolving safety guidelines. The concept of the COVID Compliance Officer was born out of necessity, but the implementation was far from ideal. Many CCOs were not medically trained professionals but production assistants who completed a brief online course. For as little as $50 and four hours of their time, these individuals were certified to oversee health protocols on set—a responsibility that ideally required expertise in public health or medicine.
The result? A disconnect between those implementing safety protocols and the medically trained professionals, such as EMTs or nurses, who understood the complexities of health risks. This lack of alignment often led to friction, inefficiencies, and in some cases, compromised safety.
Now, with the introduction of safety coordinators on sets, a similar pattern is unfolding. Once again, questions about qualifications, roles, and responsibilities are at the forefront, creating a chasm between seasoned safety professionals and these newcomers.
The Role of Safety Coordinators
Safety coordinators are intended to serve as a central figure in maintaining a safe environment on set. Their responsibilities may include:
- Conducting safety briefings for cast and crew.
- Identifying potential hazards and mitigating risks.
- Ensuring compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
- Coordinating emergency response plans.
On paper, the role seems indispensable. However, the issue arises when productions prioritize convenience and cost-saving measures over proper qualifications. Much like the CCO phenomenon, some safety coordinators are entering the field with minimal training, often obtained through online courses that lack depth and fail to address the unique demands of a production environment.
Tensions Between Safety Coordinators and Established Safety Personnel
The introduction of safety coordinators has not been universally welcomed, particularly by established safety professionals like set medics and water safety personnel. These individuals have extensive training, certifications, and experience handling emergencies on set. They argue that the arrival of underqualified safety coordinators diminishes their roles and creates confusion about who holds ultimate authority in a crisis.
One notable incident highlights this growing animosity. On a major production, a safety coordinator refused to acknowledge the expertise of set medics, relegating them to secondary roles in emergency planning. This decision not only undermined the medics’ critical contributions but also put the entire production at risk by failing to utilize the most qualified personnel available.
Impact on Production Dynamics
The friction between safety coordinators and seasoned professionals is not just an internal conflict—it affects the entire production:
- Fragmented Safety Protocols: Disputes over roles can lead to inconsistencies in safety measures, leaving cast and crew vulnerable.
- Erosion of Trust: When safety personnel feel undervalued or excluded, morale suffers, and trust in the production’s commitment to safety diminishes.
- Increased Liability: Productions that rely on underqualified safety coordinators risk facing legal and financial consequences if incidents occur.
What’s Missing in the Safety Coordinator Model?
The crux of the problem lies in the qualifications—or lack thereof—required to become a safety coordinator. A four-hour online course may cover basic principles, but it cannot replace the depth of knowledge and hands-on experience possessed by EMTs, paramedics, or water safety experts.
Moreover, safety coordinators often lack the specialized skills needed for certain scenarios, such as:
- Medical Emergencies: Set medics are trained to assess and respond to injuries or illnesses, often serving as the first line of defense in critical situations.
- Water Safety: Productions involving water stunts or scenes rely heavily on water safety personnel who understand the unique risks and protocols associated with aquatic environments.
By sidelining these experts, productions are inadvertently weakening their safety infrastructure.
A Path Forward: Collaboration, Not Competition
The solution lies in fostering collaboration between safety coordinators and established safety personnel rather than creating a hierarchy that pits them against one another. Here are some steps productions can take to bridge the gap:
- Standardized Qualifications: Require safety coordinators to have certifications from reputable organizations, such as OSHA or the American Red Cross, and mandate a minimum level of hands-on experience.
- Role Clarity: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all safety personnel on set, ensuring that expertise is respected and utilized effectively.
- Team-Based Approach: Encourage safety coordinators to work alongside set medics, water safety personnel, and other specialists to create a cohesive safety strategy.
- Ongoing Training: Provide regular training and workshops to keep all safety personnel up-to-date on best practices and emerging risks.
The Cost of Cutting Corners
Productions often operate under tight budgets, and the temptation to cut costs is understandable. However, when it comes to safety, the price of cutting corners can be catastrophic. An underqualified safety coordinator may seem like a cost-effective solution, but the potential consequences—injuries, lawsuits, or even loss of life—far outweigh the initial savings.
Investing in qualified, experienced safety personnel is not just a moral imperative but also a sound financial decision. Productions that prioritize safety not only protect their cast and crew but also enhance their reputation and reduce the likelihood of costly disruptions.
Conclusion: Safety as a Shared Responsibility
The rise of safety coordinators on film sets is a double-edged sword. While the intention to enhance safety is commendable, the execution has left much to be desired. To ensure that this trend benefits rather than hinders productions, it is crucial to prioritize qualifications, foster collaboration, and respect the expertise of established safety professionals.
Safety is not a one-person job—it is a collective effort that requires the combined knowledge, skills, and dedication of everyone involved. By embracing this philosophy, the film industry can create safer sets where creativity and safety coexist harmoniously.