Health & Safety while filming
The railway industry involves significant risks. That’s why we are a safety-critical company, dedicated to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our employees, contractors, passengers and visitors. We take this responsibility very seriously and expect you to do the same when filming with us.
When submitting an application, you’ll need to include a risk assessment for your planned activities. We’ve compiled useful details on the rules you should follow and important factors to consider when preparing your risk assessment.
If you’re unsure about writing a risk assessment, you should consult a safety reviewer or similar professional who can identify potential hazards and recommend appropriate control measures.
Health and safety precautions:
Before the shoot
Please ensure your risk assessment covers the following house rules:
Safety brief
All cast and crew must complete an online safety briefing prior to the day of the shoot. We will provide a unique link several days beforehand.
Sign-in
Production leads (locations/HoDs) must sign in personally upon arrival at the site. At stations, this is typically done at either the Station or Contractor’s Reception. Since these areas can become crowded, we suggest arriving at least 15 minutes early. You must present valid official photo ID, and everyone who signs in must also sign out when leaving.
ID cards
All crew members must display identification while on site. Those assigned station passes must wear them, while other crew should use a lanyard with company ID.
PPE and clothing
All crew must wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) for the tasks being performed. At minimum, high-visibility vests must be worn at all times, and footwear should completely cover toes—even during load-in and load-out—though sturdy shoes are preferred. Any work involving preparation, clean-up, rigging, or moving large/heavy items requires safety shoes. Legs must be fully covered when working in stations.
Responsible person
A location manager or senior staff member must supervise all activities on site and communicate with us regarding safety and security matters.
Safe distance and positions
- Your risk assessment should also address the following house rules:
- Prioritise passengers: Do not block passenger or staff movement at stations.
- Stay at least 1.5 metres from platform edges, and 3 metres from overhead line equipment.
- Keep platforms clear during train arrivals, departures, or announcements.
- Do not use equipment on escalators or staircases without approval.
- Avoid equipment over head height; do not let it hang over edges.
Storage, Security and Magliners
- Only necessary equipment allowed on site.
- Always monitor equipment and personal items.
- Move trolleys and magliners with two people.
- Store in designated areas with barriers if permitted.
- Apply wheel-brakes when stationary.
- Do not use wheel-brakeless trolleys or magliners on platforms; park all permitted ones parallel to tracks.
Standard Equipment
The following house rules must be covered in your risk assessment:
- All electrical equipment should undergo Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).
- Electrical devices must be battery powered and free of trailing cables; cable runs are only permitted on closed sets.
- Playback monitors should be handheld, wireless, and battery operated.
- Spotters or back watchers are required during moving camera shots, including handheld or Steadicam filming.
- Flash lighting is prohibited on platforms or anywhere visible from trains.
Additional standard equipment includes:
- Boom poles: Poles for sound or lighting are not allowed on platforms or areas with overhead line equipment (OLE) such as lines, pylons, and earthing gear—extended or collapsed.
- Dolly and track: Prefer smaller dollies like PeeWee or Cobra. Track isn’t usually allowed in stations unless it’s a closed set. Risers and mounts are acceptable if not working at height. Consider: How will you ensure the dolly doesn’t roll off platforms or collide with station users?
- Handheld reflectors: These must be under 1.2 metres² and cannot have silver or gold surfaces.
- Lighting: Pre-agreement is required due to risks of dazzling train drivers. Approved lighting requires a staff chaperone. Consider: What steps can you take to prevent lights from dazzling drivers or obscuring signals?
High-Risk Equipment and Activities
The equipment and activities below are considered high-risk. You’ll need extra permissions and may need to hire a Competent Person to review your paperwork.
- Balloons (lighting/props): Helium balloons aren’t allowed in stations or near OLE.
- Blue or Green screens: Green screens facing the railway can distract drivers; they must have a zero-fire rating and safety certificates. Consider: Securing screens against collisions or wind. See freestanding scaffolds/tents and working at height.
- Camera cranes/jibs: Outside closed sets, equipment must be built off-site and brought in. The entire setup must stay within an exclusion zone. Cranes/jibs over 2.4m aren’t allowed near OLE. Consider: Ensuring boom arms stay inside safe zones.
- Dressing/props: Safety signage/operational equipment cannot be covered. Props must have a zero-fire rating and safety certificates. Large items, like inflatables, should be assembled offsite or in pre-approved areas. Consider: Securing props to prevent movement.
- Escalators/staircases: Not all locations allow filming here. Where possible, submit a safe system of work and explain why alternatives won’t suffice. Consider: Preventing falls/trips, supporting operators, keeping public clear, testing procedures for safety, adapting learnings, proper clothing for grip and protection.
- Freestanding scaffolds/tents: Not allowed in areas with OLE. Tents, reflectors, silks must have zero-fire rating with certificates. Consider: Securing against collision/wind.
- Height restrictions: Props/equipment shouldn’t exceed head height on platforms. Heights up to 2.4m may be accepted following risk assessment.
- Ladders (including ladder-pods/stepladders): Preferred methods for working at height exclude ladders, but where permitted, they must be made of non-conductive materials like GRP. See also working at height.
- LPG/gas containers: LPG or other fuels such as paraffin burners, and gases like helium, are not allowed.
- MEWPs/Scaffold Towers (have to be GRP): Generally, not allowed during operational hours. See also working at height.
- Power (generators/local): Solid-state batteries (Instagrids or Voltstacks) are generally allowed. Diesel generators are rarely permitted. Access to local power may be granted with electrician oversight.
- Special effects/smoke machines: Only allowed away from operational areas in closed sets. Must ensure no distraction for drivers or alarm for passengers. Only water-based smoke machines are considered.
- Stunts: Permitted only in closed sets, with safeguards for drivers and passengers.
- Video village: Only allowed in closed sets.
- Working at height: Avoid whenever possible. If needed, justify necessity and detail safety measures and PPE. Consider: Alternatives, safe systems of work.
Other Considerations
- Closed sets: Stations cannot be fully closed; partial closures are rare.
- ‘Filming in Progress’ signage: Required for larger shoots, displayed as advised. Use provided wording, filling blanks as needed.
- Fixtures/fittings: Requests must be submitted in advance; no day-of approvals. Do not cover safety signs, signals, or interfere with safety equipment.
- Heritage restrictions: Some locations are Grade-I or Grade-II listed, with specific heritage rules.
- Platform hire: Platforms can occasionally be hired exclusively, preferring side platforms for safety. Island platforms rarely used. Charter trains may be needed for platform access.
- Rubbish/refuse: Bin liners must be clear or transparent. Roving waste collection preferred; pop-up bins allowed if attended.
- Restricted access: Access limited to public areas unless agreed otherwise.
- No track access: Never access tracks. If something is dropped, alert staff; do not retrieve it yourself. Shoeburyness Depot may permit track access if necessary.
- Flash photography: Prohibited when trains arrive/depart.
- Safety of others: Filming must not endanger customers, staff, or crew. Secure the area if needed.
- Filming on platforms: Keep filming at least two meters from platform edge. Don’t block customer movement or boarding.
- Overhead lines: Maintain three meters distance from overhead power lines; treat wires as live. Boom microphones are not allowed on these platforms.
- Safety brief: Sign in with a c2c representative and attend a site safety briefing, complying with all health and safety procedures.
- Customer flow: Entrances/exits must never be blocked. Filming must not hinder customer movement.
- Rail performance: Filming must not interfere with train arrivals or departures.
- Equipment for filming: Equipment must be fit for purpose, operated by trained staff, and securely stored. Don’t leave equipment unattended.
- Railway equipment: Personnel must not interfere with railway operations/equipment.
- Drones: Drone cameras are not allowed at stations or depots. Network Rail manages airspace above the UK rail network; contact them for permission to fly drones over tracks/infrastructure.
- Vehicles: Park only in designated areas; do not block walkways, entrances, or exits.
- No entry under influence: c2c enforces a strict alcohol and drug policy—no one may work onsite while under the influence.
- Work site: Before leaving, ensure the site is safe and tidy.