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Lone Working
Common Questions

Is there any situation where we cannot send someone working alone?
Lone workers are never deployed where there is a risk of violence, a likely crush or an unguarded physical hazard e.g. height, vehicles, water.
 
Is it possible to film on your own?
Yes - it may be essential to build the rapport you need with your interviewee. Typical shoots that may be suitable for a person working alone include static general views, filming in offices, domestic premises, pieces to camera and simple interviews. There still needs to be suitable and effective communication between you and base.
 
Why is filming alone of more concern than recording alone?
Some issues will be the same in terms of the hazards of people and the location. The additional issues for someone wielding a camera are to do with the restricted perspective:
  • No one to warn the camera user of danger
  • e.g. walking into an object, off an edge, into another person or being hit by something
  • Vulnerability to the threat of violence
  • Less chance of identifying a significant risk, e.g. tripping hazard caused by cables
  • Additional tasks to be carried out which may distract the user from the possible dangers
  • No support staff present to carry equipment to, from and on location
  • A high degree of involvement which could lead to excessive working hours and fatigue.
Why is walking backwards with a camera more risky that just walking backwards?
Not many people walk backwards for more than a couple of steps and even then they will check constantly that there aren't obstacles to fall over.  If you are filming however you concentrate on the image in the view finder keeping an interviewee in focus, keeping the camera steady we know that from painful past experience.
 
Does this mean I can't take one step back whilst holding a camera?
Hate to say it, but it depends on the circumstances. One step when you are on a hillside or at the edge of a pavement might be fatal. A step back when you are in an empty room with an even dry floor and no likelihood that a hazard (e.g. a dog) will enter the room then a step back is unlikely to result in a fall. 
 
If you need to track back then take an assistant with you. If you are alone then find another way to get the shot.
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