Lighting and Location Lighting
Common Questions

Common Questions

Why should producers need to read this guidance?

With regard to health and safety, it explains what lighting arrangements are allowed and not allowed for given competencies and power requirements.

It provides producers with various choices of arrangements to suit their production size. It will also assist in keeping your work with electricity legally compliant.

Why is there a Vetted list of Location Lighting Companies?

High voltage lighting equipment requires specialist knowledge and correct maintenance in order to be used safely and within the law. To help productions, the BBC provides a list of companies that are known to fulfil these requirements. Vetted companies have had their safety policy and arrangements checked by the BBC, and have signed up to the BBC Terms of Trade. Productions engaging them can therefore assume competence of their staff, and that their equipment suitable for its purpose.

Why is there a 6kW total power limit for Lighting Cameramen before having to use a Vetted location lighting company?

6kW was considered by the BBC Electrical Working Group to be the upper limit of power that was safely available (via 13amp sockets) from the average 30amp ring main found in offices, houses, hotels etc. This, with a limit of 2kW per lighting head provides a practical working limit for documentaries etc where the cameraman is in charge of lights without a dedicated electrician. Higher output would not be safely available through standard 13amp sockets. Vetted contractors have the necessary electrical qualification to enable connection with fuse boards etc.

What happens if a production has several rooms set up with lights, which together total more than 6kW, but uses less than 6kW at any one time in each room?

This is quite common when for example, multiple interviews are taking place. The safety dept should be consulted, and may well agree to this arrangement as power limits are not being exceeded. However, particularly if it's a small crew, the manual handling of kit and its supervision of lighting if left unattended should be carefully considered.

How would a producer know a freelance lighting cameraperson is competent to use lights?

This can sometimes be difficult, but it's the producer's responsibility to check, as its their decision not to use an electrician and few cameramen have any formal electrical qualification although, if they have a record of attending relevant lighting courses (also covering electrical distribution), this will add to their overall competence assessment. Checks should also include previous BBC experience, reference from other producers and their general track record of productions at a similar level. If any cameraman appears to use lights in an unsafe manner, the activity should be immediately halted: lighting accidents can be very serious.

Why do accidents with lasers occur?

Lack of adequate control
Ad hoc working practices
Unsafe action(s)

Isn't a laser classified as Class 1 safe under any circumstances?

Unfortunately not;

Classification relates only to the hazard to the eye, not to the skin or to other potential hazards (electrical, mechanical or chemical).
Classification considers only the radiation that is accessible during normal use, not during maintenance or servicing.
Classification relates primarily to the hazard in the immediate vicinity of the laser, not to how far the hazard might extend.
Classification is based on certain assumptions (use, mode of operation, etc.) not all of which will be valid in all circumstances.

Lighting and Location Lighting Common Questions

Lighting and Location Lighting
Common Questions