Deal with misfires and negligent discharges on productions
Overview
This standard is about dealing with misfires or negligent discharges– where continuity is broken, or a device fails to explode when an attempt to fire it is made.
It is also about knowing what to do in the event of a misfire or negligent discharges and how to maintain the safety of the cast and crew at all times.
You will need to take the necessary precaution when loading and unloading a weapon on/off set. It will involve close liaison with key production personnel, in particular the 1st Assistant Director.
This standard is for Armoury supervisors and on-set armourers.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- deal with a misfire or negligent discharges in line with health and safety legislation and protocols
- report misfires or negligent discharges following production and legislative requirements
- recover any used or unused ammunition and dispose of these in a safe manner in line with protocols
- communicate how and why the weapon misfired or negligent discharge occurred to relevant parties
- correct and prepare to reset weapons for re-shoot
- instruct cast and crew in how re-setting weapons for a re-shoot will be undertaken
- identify and log the reasons for the misfire to minimise the potential for further misfires
- liaise with appropriate Heads of Departments to ensure that the cast and crew are safe
- reassure individuals where necessary that their safety is not compromised
- adhere to all safety parameters, protocols and legislation
identify any potential problems and act accordingly
take all aspects of risk assessment and management into account and provide documentation to this effect
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the information and guidance outlined in the Health and Safety Executive's Weapons on Set document
- what action to take when a misfire and/or negligent discharges occur in accordance with safe working practices
- the impact of projectiles, spent cases, wadding, un-burnt powder, air blasts, noise impact upon the cast and crew present
- how to secure an exclusion zone until the cast and crew's safety is assured
- the causes and effects of negligent discharges
- the risks and hazards associated with misfires
- how to report the incident in the appropriate manner
- the approved methods of weapons testing
- how to recover any devices in a safe and expedient manner
- the safe handling or withdrawal of faulty weapons and appropriate disposal of ammunition
- how to establish and maintain risk assessment and usage records for misfires and negligent discharges