Rig tracking cars and trailers
Overview
This Standard involves rigging a vehicle or trailer (travelling platform). It is about selecting the right type of camera mounting, crane, or jib arm, and fixing the whole mount without causing any damage or endangering others.
It requires identifying all hazards and environmental circumstances which may affect the operation, producing a risk assessment, and keeping the production team informed of any special requirements.
This Standard is for anyone rigging tracking cars or trailers.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- make sure total weights of all equipment and people will not exceed the capacities of plated or 'train' weights of vehicles or trailers
- use reliable information to confirm positions and angles of shots and intended routes and speeds of vehicles or trailers
- travel intended routes at appropriate times to identify the suitability of surfaces being driven over, and the nature of obstructions or hazards
- confirm positions, speeds and direction of any other movements with appropriate production staff
- produce risk assessments and communicate findings to all relevant people
- confirm that all props and other fitted equipment are safe and secure in line with current regulations, guidance and industry best practice
- assemble and position rigs and fasten cameras and accessories without damage to vehicles, trailers or injury to people
- use appropriate materials, ropes, knots or strops to prevent unwanted movement
- check that rigs meet safety requirements in the event of emergency braking
- provide safety harnesses that are within date for all relevant production personnel
- instruct relevant people in the use of safety harnesses
- provide environmental protection for equipment and people which is safe and secure in line with current regulations, guidance and industry best practice
- obtain all special permissions and clearances from relevant sources
- advise relevant production staff when special permissions are required
- inform appropriate production staff of any hindrance or circumstances that affect the safe operation of the rig
demonstrate that rigs are safe for the full distance and travel of their intended use
communicate relevant information to drivers at appropriate times to enable them to operate vehicles in line with health and safety requirements
secure and protect equipment when not in use in line with manufacturers' instructions
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- relevant legislation, guidance and industry best practice
- how to calculate that the total weight of any technical equipment, props or people
- sources of information on intended routes and speeds of vehicles or trailers and their consequences to rigs and people
- the nature of surfaces being driven on and their effects on rigs and people
- the limits of your expertise and when it is appropriate to call on other specialists
- the benefits of teamwork and how to communicate with others
how to identify potential obstructions or hazards within the operating arc of rigs
how to work in conjunction with drivers and when and how to communicate with them
sources of information on numbers and positions of production staff in or on rigs
- sources of information on intended positions of any accompanying or passing action
- how to assemble rigs without causing damage to vehicles or trailers, or injury to people
- different uses of materials to provide additional stability and safety
- measures to take to ensure that all people are safe
- devices to use to protect camera equipment from external damage
- special permissions that may be required when vehicles are to be used on public highway
- when to inform production of any hindrance to safe operation
- how to secure equipment when not in use
- why it is important to keep equipment dry and free of dust, sand and other debris
- Personal Protective Equipment required