Production Guide

Treoir Táirgeadh

Dublin City Council’s Production Guide is a set of simple guidelines intended to ensure that the close working relationship that exists between the Irish film and television sector and Dublin City Council continues, and that the highest standards of quality are maintained.

Complying with this Production Guide will ensure that Dublin City Council’s relevant departments are kept informed of upcoming filming taking place in the City and that all applicants are aware of their duty of care when operating in the public domain, ensuring the safety and well being of employees and members of the public.

Dublin City Council acknowledges that industry best practice evolves and improves over time. This Production Guide will benefit from continuous input and development from the industry and key stakeholders and will be reviewed periodically.

PLEASE NOTE

  • Whenever this page refers to film and film production, the term includes all other visual media such as television, commercials, movies, music videos, etc.
  • Dublin City Council provides the services of a “Film Liaison Officer” to assist the audio visual sector in achieving their production goals. On this page you will also find the contact details of frequently used Dublin City Council services should you require their assistance, or are in need of additional information regarding their functions.
  • In certain circumstances, Dublin City Council, An Garda Siochana, emergency services or location owners may deem it necessary to impose stipulations in addition to those outlined in this document. Any filming undertaken and any liability is the sole responsibility of the production company and its employees.
  • Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all the information, Dublin City Council does not accept liability for any error or omissions and reserves the right to change information.

Table of Contents

General Introduction

If you are filming on private property you do not need to apply for Dublin City Council consent, this document is intended for use by film and production companies that wish to use the public domain, and/or Dublin City Council owned property for their productions.

 

In order to ensure the co-operation of the relevant Dublin City Council services, the production company should ensure that all those affected by filming have been consulted and informed of production arrangements.

 

Dublin City Council must be informed of all proposed filming activity taking place on public property within its area and should be provided with details of the following:

  1. The name and registered address of the production company.
  2. The type of production (feature film, TV drama, commercial, corporate or music video).
  3. A contact person and a telephone number, preferably that of the location manager.
  4. The number of cast, crew and vehicles expected on location.
  5. Clear details of any stunts.
  6. Productions which depict scenes of a violent nature (i.e. robberies, hostage situations, car chases, traffic accidents, fires etc).
  7. Filming involving the use of animals in public places.
  8. Clear details of parking proposals.
  9. The use of roads – (Please See pages 31-66 for application forms for road closures, parking suspension) application forms).
  10. Given details of any art department requirements including dressing and set construction.
  11. All other location requests.

Charges

Charges are in place for filming in the public domain and in parks/beaches fees vary according to production size.


The following services will also incur additional charges/fees:

  • Road closures.
  • Provision of vehicles to wet down the street.
  • Refuse collection.
  • Removal of street furniture/traffic signs.
  • Removal of unit signs that have not been removed by the production company.
  • Suspension of parking meters and any other parking provisions.
  • Any other charges that arise as a direct result of filming in the public domain.

All prices are exclusive of 23% VAT fee

First Day

Each Additional Day

Per Project Cap

TV or Feature under €500,000

€100

€20

€300

TV or Feature between €500,000 & €1M Euro

€150

€50

€1500

TV or Feature between €1Million & €1.5 M Euro

€300

€100

€3000

TV or Feature between €1.5Million & €4M Euro

€600

€300

€6000

TV or Feature over 4 Million Euro

€1000

€500

No Cap

Commercial/ Adverts

€200 for the 1st hour-

€150 per hour after

€200 for the 1st hour – €150 per hour after

€5000

Student Film Permit

Charity

€0*

€0*

€0*

Drone/ Aerial Filming

€100

0

No Cap

Henrietta Street fee

25% daily surcharge of the applicable fees

25% daily surcharge of the applicable fees

25% daily surcharge

FILMING FEES FOR ALL PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND BEACHES

All productions sizes, price per application  Plus VAT 23% Minimum charge/2hours  €250

Charge per hour thereafter €100

Maximum charge per day (up to 18.00)  €1,000

Out of hours charge (after 18.00) per hour €250

Interior locations, prices start from €1100 per day plus 23% Vat

Please note that all late applications (if accepted) will result in double the relevant application fee for all productions that do not meet the required lead-in time as outlined below.

 

Late applications from Student and Charity productions*

* Student/Charity Late applications (Less than 7 working days) will incur a late fee of €150 plus VAT.

Exemptions

At the discretion of Dublin City Council the following photo calls and filming may be granted a waiver from charges in the public domain:

  • Photo calls to promote registered charity campaigns
  • Wedding photographs
  • Tourism promotion content including but not limited to applications from Tourism Ireland/Fáilte Ireland
  • Content for Dublin City Council usage will incur no fee
  • Applications made directly by Public Service Bodies, Government Departments.
Content TypeMinimum Notice Period
Filming a single documentary or special7 days
Filming a short feature10 days
Filming a TV series10 days
Filming marketing or advertising material5 days
Filming a feature length film (Budget of €1.5 million or more)10 days
Filming a feature length film (Budget less than €1.5 million)21 days
Filming a web series7 days
Filming a charity production or related content7 days
Filming a live event or concert10 days
Filming travel or tourism content7 days
Filming vlogger/blogger content7 days
Filming a student production10 days
Filming using a drone or unmanned aircraft7 days
Any other content not covered abovePlease contact us to determine the minimum notice period

General Terms and Conditions

  • Additional Terms and Conditions may be added to your production once full details of the filming request is received.
  • Filmmakers must ensure that Dublin City Council is kept fully informed of the intentions of the production company.
  • Productions should nominate a member of crew to liaise with the relevant agencies and services, that person should be an experienced Location Manager or Unit Production Manager, where possible.
  • Filming to take place at the stated locations, dates and times only.
  • It is recognised that audiovisual production companies must act in a responsible and professional manner. However, all producers/Location managers need to take their surroundings into consideration and must not;
    • Obstruct others from carrying out their business.
    • Cause a disturbance or safety hazard or impede the mobility of pedestrians, goods or services without adequate prior consultation.
    • Dublin City Council has a duty of care towards residents and businesses and will exercise control if a particular production is causing an unreasonable nuisance.
    • The selection of film locations that may have the potential to affect normal traffic flow and should only be done in consultation with An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council’s Roads and Traffic Department.
  • If required all road closures must be applied for and agreed in advance of filming.
  • There must be no interference with vehicular or pedestrian traffic unless specifically applied for and a Traffic Management Plan is received and approved by An Garda Siochana and Dublin City Council.
  • Notify relevant Garda station/s.
  • An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council have the right to terminate any permits granted, should prior agreements not be adhered to.
  • Any filming undertaken is the responsibility of the applicant. Adequate notice must be given to An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council when making any arrangements.
  • Dublin City Council must be credited in the production titles for their assistance in the making of the programme/film/series and the DCC logo included where possible. Please contact Dublin City Council’s Events Team for the Council Logo in various formats.
  • The requirements DCC’s Building Control Section, must be complied with in full and the certificate the event structural engineer, in relation to the erection of temporary structures must be submitted to [email protected] prior to commencement of the production.
  • Any additional requirements of the statutory agencies must be resolved directly with them prior to holding of the filming.
  • There must be no obstruction of access or egress to retail or other premises
  • No litter to be created as a result of the filming
  • Parking permits and suspension of parking if required must be applied for and permits granted prior to commencement of filming.
  • Positioning of vehicle applications and equipment if required, must be made and granted prior to commencement of filming.
  • Only essential services and prop vehicles to be parked at location. Cast, crew and talent parking should be arranged off site.
  • All consultation with businesses/residents and other premises to be complete prior to commencement of filming.
  • Noise should be kept to a minimum and generators should be baffled or integrated with the location vehicle.
  • Noise levels should not be considered a nuisance and consideration must be given any noise sensitive premises in the area.
  • Crew members should aim to dress professionally at all times, in all weathers. Dress codes imposed at particular locations for religious or other reasons must be adhered to.
  • Crew and cast should refrain from using lewd or offensive language.
  • It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that All Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Paramedics (Ps) and Advanced Paramedics (APs) must be registered with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council in order to legally practice in Ireland. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) maintains a statutory register of all pre-hospital emergency care practitioners who meet the required standards.
  • The applicant must satisfy themselves that the person responsible for drawing up and implementing the Health and Safety Statement and Risk Assessment Plan for their filming is competent to do so. Sole responsibility lies with the applicant to ensure that all elements of plans are carried out as stated in the documentation submitted to Dublin City Council for the duration of the filming.
  • Dublin City Council bears no responsibility for the management of safety for the duration of the filming.
  • The applicant must comply with all Health and Safety Legislation, the Safety, Health and Welfare at work Act 2005, Health and Welfare at work Act (Construction) 2013, Health and Welfare at work Act (General) 2007, Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003. All regulations made there under, and all other relevant legislation, regulations and approved Codes of Practice, to ensure the safe running of this event.
  • This decision notice does not apply to Grand Canal Square or Henrietta Street or Council owned Parkland.
  • This decision notice does not permit you to film outside Department of Justice properties, Department of Defence properties, any national embassies, any national consulate offices, or airports.
  • As part of the terms and conditions of a permit an applicant may be required to submit a refundable bond, where Parks and Landscape Services decide that the proposed filming is of a scale that is likely to cause damage to the park surface from construction, vehicular or crew/cast movement, or any other activity associated with the production.
  • A pre-production on-site meeting must be arranged at least 14 days in advance of the filming with the District Parks Officer for the particular park to discuss any potential impact to the site.
  • Dublin City Council or An Garda Síochána reserves the right to suspend / terminate any and/or all proposed activities being held in the park/open space for reasons of public safety, congestion or nuisance or any other reason. Any such termination would be without any claim or liability on the statutory bodies. Dublin City Council reserves the right to cancel or withdraw consent at any time in parks/open spaces.
  • Dublin City Council may require the applicant to curtail, relocate or cancel an event on or before the booking date, in circumstances of emergency or other legitimate access requirements for which there is no satisfactory alternative arrangement that can be made.

Insurance

All productions should provide Dublin City Council evidence of insurance we will require;

  • Submission of Public Liability Insurance indemnifying Dublin City Council up to €6.5million will be required along with proof of Employers Liability of €13 million.
  • The production company will be expected to indemnify any third party property owners, whose property is intended for use as a film location, against any claims or proceedings arising directly from any injury to persons or damage to property as a result of the activities of the production company or its agents.

Security

It is a requirement for the production company to inform the Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner, Dublin Metropolitan Region, Harcourt Street headquarters of all details of filming on the street or in a public place. This includes any staging of crimes, accidents or use of firearms and special effects if they take place in the public domain.


There will be times when it is prudent to have members of AGS in attendance to ensure efficient traffic management while filming on location. A Location Manager or other designated crew member, is required to communicate with the Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner, and Dublin City Council who will advise on the need for Garda assistance at any given film location.


Garda personnel assigned through the Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner are at all times operating under the direction of Garda Management and not the production company that requested Garda assistance. All non-public duty Garda costs incurred will be borne by the production company. Details of all charges are available upon request from the Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner.


Security issues relating to cast, crew, equipment and sites (i.e. sets, unit base, crew parking, stand-by vehicles parking) in use by the production company are the sole responsibility of the production company.

Security Staff

  • All security staff on location must be licensed by the Private Security Authority, with the correct category of license to cover their assigned duties on location.
  • The identification card or licence card held by the security employee must be visibly worn (subject to certain exemptions) whilst on duty, the design and conditions of which are as specified from time to time by the Private Security Authority.
  • The production company should also ensure that security staff are positioned to liaise with members of the public; they should have strong communication skills and be in possession of the call sheet for the day, so that they can answer general queries from members of the public/residents.

Prop or Mock Emergency Services

  • Dublin City Council and all emergency services must be informed if there are actors to be dressed in a specific uniform (Garda, Defence Forces, Ambulance, Fire Brigade etc.).
  • Uniforms and any vehicles resembling the emergency services must be covered whenever possible and in particular between takes. Any markings on vehicles must be taped over when not being used for filming or being driven on a carriageway.
  • Sirens should not be used at any time on location and flashing lights must be switched off when not in shot and covered when not in use.
  • It is important that the usage of Garda uniforms and other marked equipment is monitored by a member of An Garda Síochána and that when not in use the uniforms and equipment must be covered and secured. The Garda Press Office should be notified in advance of using these items.

Armourer Information

All scenes using real or stunt gunfire or firearms including replica, decommissioned and live weapons must have a licensed armourer on set at all times and operate in accordance with the 1925 Firearms Act, 1990 Firearms Act and all subsequent regulations.

 

Under section 2 of the Firearms Act, 1925, the possession, use or carriage of a firearm or ammunition by a person taking part in a theatrical performance or rehearsal or in the production of a film, requires an authorisation. This is granted by the local superintendent of the district where such performance is to take place. The local superintendent of the district will request make/model and serial firearms including replicas which should be supplied.

 

If using an Air soft replica weapon it will not have a serial number. They are classified as RIF’s (Realistic Imitation Firearms) in law as opposed to toys, so they cannot be used in public. Private property is fine (as long as it’s out of public site/access) DCC will ask for confirmation that the owner of the firearm including replica and RIF’s and person discharging the firearm including replica and RIF’s have sought permission local superintendent of the district.

 

DCC will request confirmation if the above procedure has been carried out.

 

If there are stunts taking place or management of traffic flow is needed then Garda supervision will also be required, in addition to permission from Dublin City Council, see Traffic Management Section for more details.

  • All scenes using real or stunt gunfire or firearms including replica, decommissioned and live weapons must have a licensed armourer on set at all times and operate in accordance with the 1925 Firearms Act, 1990 Firearms Act and all subsequent regulations.

 

Stunts action vehicles

Public Road Usage

Permission to film on public roads must be obtained from Dublin City Council’s Roads and Traffic Department and the Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner, Dublin Metropolitan Region, Harcourt Street headquarters. Dublin City Council may also require the applicant to notify specific local Garda Stations. The Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner, may also instruct the applicant Production Company and relevant local Garda Station on policing requirements. The legal requirement for road closure orders must be complied with.

Permission must be sought from both Dublin City Council, Roads and Traffic Department and the Office of the Garda Assistant Commissioner for the following:

  1. Full or partial road closures, lane closures and full or partial footpath closures. The production company as part of any road closure application must submit a traffic management plan.
  2. The removal, alteration and disguising of street furniture. Reinstatement must happen as soon as possible after filming.
  3. The temporary painting-out or disguising of road markings, yellow lines or other road signs, again reinstatement must happen as soon as possible after filming.
  4. The use of cranes, cherry pickers, track, low-loaders and other potentially hazardous equipment in a public place.
  5. The parking of production vehicles on yellow lines, in meter bays or residents’ bays.
  6. The use of special effects, pyrotechnics or explosions, rain or snow machines, wet downs and stunt work on public footpaths or carriageways.
  7. Wet downs of streets.
  8. The removal of street furniture, including signs.

The adjustment of street lighting is normally carried out by Dublin City Council and charged to the production company. All arrangements for this work must be made through the Dublin City Council, Public Lighting Department. For more information contact:

Dublin City Council, Public Lighting Services, 61/64 Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8.

Tel: +353 (0) 1 222 2222, Email: [email protected]

Public Domain Filming

The following issues must also be considered when filming in the public domain:

  1. If filming activity blocks a footpath, an alternative safe and supervised route for pedestrians must be provided.
  2. Access for emergency services, fire hydrants and fire exits must be kept clear at all times. Dublin Fire Brigade will require a 3.8 metre clearance to be maintained for emergency vehicles.
  3. Entrances/exits to car parks must not be blocked at any time.
  4. Care must be taken when working in the vicinity of street trees to ensure that no damage is caused. There are to be no attachments of any nature to street trees without prior permission from Dublin City Council, Parks Department, Ground Floor, Block Four, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8. Tel: +353 (0) 1 222 3366, Email: [email protected].
  5. Where possible, vehicular traffic should not be affected during the recording of sound for interior filmed scenes.
  6. Members of crew or cast should not attempt to obstruct vehicular traffic for filming purposes.
  7. Matters relating to tracking should be discussed with Dublin City Council & An Garda Síochána in advance of filming in the event that an obstruction to either pedestrian or vehicular traffic is anticipated. Where needed, alternative footways should be agreed with Dublin City Council.
  8. The production company should ensure that filming does not impede members of the public unless previously agreed through prior consultation.
  9. If filming activity blocks a footpath, an alternative safe and supervised route for pedestrians must be provided.

In general terms filming on the public street is not protected by copyright, however, if you need to position yourself on private property to film certain shots, permission should be sought from the land owner.

It is worth bearing in mind that logos and trademarks on exteriors of buildings may be under copyright. Consent may be required if these logo’s and trademarks will be prominently featured in the content.

When filming people on a street, ideally consent should be obtained from anyone significantly featured in the film. For general view shots on streets, passers –by may be captured on camera and steps should be taken to make them aware of filming on the street by placing “filming in progress” signs in the vicinity so individuals who wish to avoid being on camera can do so.

This note is intended to be general advice only and not intended as legal advice, if you have any questions or doubts, an expert legal opinion should be sought.

Employment of Children

The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 governs the employment of child actors. Contact the Department Children and Youth Affairs for current guidelines and legislation.

 

For more information please visit: workplacerelations.ie – Employing Children – Film & Theatre

Work Permits and Visas

A work permit is required for an employer to employ any person who is not a national of an EU/EEA State, Switzerland or the UK, or who does not hold a current Irish passport.

It is the responsibility of the producer to make sure that all incoming personnel have the appropriate work permits and visas (if needed) prior to entering the country. Applications for Work Permits should be made to the work permits Section of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Visa Applications should also be made where appropriate to relevant overseas Irish Consulate or Embassy.

Use of Livestock or Animals

The production company should contact Dublin City Council if the production proposes to use animals or livestock. Some animals will require additional permits from the issuing authority and/or a dedicated animal handler when on location.

 

For more information contact:

Animal Health and Welfare Division
4C Agriculture House, Kildare Street , Dublin 2
Tel: +353 (0) 1 607 2379, Email: [email protected]

Health and Safety

  • It is the responsibility of the production company to ensure that employees are in compliance with current Health and Safety legislation and regulations when filming on location.
  • If any temporary structures or props will be positioned/constructed in the public domain a “Statement of Compliance” with all relevant Health and Safety Legislation (see below) may be requested from the applicant.
    • Companies must comply with all Health & Safety Legislation, the Safety, and Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005, all regulations made there under, and all other relevant legislation, regulations and approved Codes of Practice, to ensure the safe management of the filming.
    • Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Construction Act 2013, all regulations made there under, and all other relevant legislation, regulations and approved Codes of Practice, to ensure the safe management of the filming.
    • Safety, Health & Welfare at Work, General Applications Registration 2007 all regulations made there under, and all other relevant legislation, regulations and approved Codes of Practice, to ensure the safe management of the filming.
    • Fire Services Act 1981 and all other relevant legislation, regulations and approved Codes of Practice, to ensure the safe management of the filming.
  • Film locations should be assessed for hazards and risks. When necessary and deemed appropriate, a Health and Safety Manager should be consulted, or appointed, to oversee the production.
  • The applicant must satisfy themselves that the person responsible for drawing up and implementing the Health and Safety Statement and Risk Assessment Plan for their filming is competent to do so. Sole responsibility lies with the applicant to ensure that all elements of plans are carried out as stated in the documentation submitted to Dublin City Council, for the duration of the event.
  • Where necessary, production companies should liaise with the Health and Safety Authority to ensure they are compliant with current Health and Safety regulations. Screen Producers Ireland publishes a manual to provide assistance and guidance to productions in supplying workplace protection for employees and to reduce losses resulting from accidents and injuries.
  • The health and safety of cast, crew and public should be safeguarded at all times. It is strongly suggested that producers refer to Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) with regard to their Health and Safety publication and if necessary contact the Health and Safety Authority for clear guidance on safety processes and safe systems of work.
  • It is the responsibility of the Production Company to ensure safety standards are maintained at all times and filming should be stopped with immediate effect if it is unsafe to continue filming.
  • Crew members and production personnel working on site must wear the correct personal protective gear appropriate to their tasks and duties on location.
  • Crew members and production personnel working on the roadway must wear high visibility clothing and ensure that the correct personal protective gear appropriate to their tasks and duties is worn on location.
  • Regulations are in place for persons working at a height and these include, but are not limited to mobile elevated work platforms such as hoists, scaffolding, boom lifts and cranes.  Proper training and a safe system of work should be in place for anyone working at a height. More information about safe systems for working at a height can be found here.

Company Safety

What is a safety statement?

A safety statement is your written commitment to managing safety and health in your business and how you are going to do this.

It should include:

  • your health and safety policy;
  • the results of your risk assessments;
  • the names and job titles of those appointed to be responsible for any safety and health matters;
  • the duties of employers and employees, including the co-operation required from employees on safety and health matters;
  • your commitment to employee consultation and participation, including arrangements for appointing safety representatives;
  • your welfare arrangements;
  • your plans and procedures for dealing with emergencies;
  • your arrangements to ensure the safety of young persons, pregnant employees and visitors to the workplace or anyone else who may be affected by your work activities;
  • your personal protective equipment policy and register of equipment;
  • your first aid and fire safety procedures, and details about the equipment and facilities available;
  • your procedures for accident reporting and investigation; and
  • your training records.

Your safety statement (including the risk assessments) should be brought to the attention of all employees and others at the workplace that may be exposed to any risks. This should be done at least once a year, and whenever it is changed or updated. New employees should also be made aware of your safety statement, especially the sections that may affect them directly. The statement must be in a form and language that is likely to be understood. 

What should be covered in a safety statement?

The areas that should be covered by the Safety Statement are specific and are set out in Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The Statement should be based on the identification of the hazards and the Risk Assessments carried out under Section 19.

It must:

  1. State how the safety and health of all employees will be secured and managed
  2. State the hazards identified and risks assessed
  3. Provide details of how the employer is going to manage their safety and health responsibilities, including a commitment to comply with legal obligations, the protective and preventive measures taken, the resources provided for safety and health at the workplace and the arrangements used to fulfil these responsibilities
  4. include the plans and procedures to be used in the event of an emergency or serious danger
  5. specify the duties of employees, including the co-operation required from them on safety and health matters
  6. include the names and job titles of people appointed to be responsible for safety and health or for performing the tasks set out in the statement
  7. contain the arrangements made for appointing safety representatives, and for consulting with and the participation by employees on safety and health matters, including the names of the safety representatives and the members of the safety committee, if appointed
  8. be written in a form, manner and language that will be understood by all
  9. include a review mechanism
  10. have regard to the relevant safety and health legislation

The Safety Statement can refer to specific procedures contained in other documents.

Risk Assessment

Codes of Practice,

Guidance and Information Sheets where available.

Company operating instructions and procedures

 

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a written document that records a three-step process:

  1. Identifying the hazards in the workplace(s) under your control.
  2. Assessing the risks presented by these hazards.
  3. Putting control measures in place to reduce the risk of these hazards causing harm.

There are five important terms you need to understand when doing a risk assessment:

Hazard: Anything with the potential to cause injury or ill health, for example chemical substances, dangerous moving machinery, or threats of violence from others.

Risk: Risk is the chance that someone will be harmed by the hazard. It also takes account of how severe the harm or ill health could be and how many people could be affected. Because risk is a combination of chance (or likelihood) and severity, it is worthwhile considering both of these terms.

Chance (or likelihood): Chance is a measure of how likely it is that an accident could happen. When people are working safely there is less chance that an accident will occur. The following diagram shows how working unsafely increases the chance that someone will be harmed.

Severity: Severity is a measure of how serious an injury or health effect could be, as a consequence of unsafe working or of an accident.

The severity can be influenced by the following:

  • the environment,
  • the number of people at risk, and
  • the steps already taken to control the hazard.

Control Measures: Control measures are simply what steps you are going to take to remove the hazards, or at least reduce the risk of them causing harm to as low a level as possible.

Step 1: Look at the hazards. The first step is to identify all the hazards in the workplace. A hazard is anything with the potential to cause injury or ill health. Within your workplace there may be several different types of hazard:

Physical hazards, such as manual handling, slip or trip hazards, poor housekeeping, fire, working at height, working with hot items, working in cold environments, driving for work or using poorly maintained equipment.

Health hazards, such as noise, vibration, unsuitable light levels, harmful dusts or stress.

Chemical hazards, such as working with common everyday products from cleaning agents, glues and correction fluids to industrial solvents, dyes, pesticides or acids.

Human factor hazards, such as bullying by or violence from other employees or members of the public.

Some hazards are obvious, such as unguarded moving parts of machinery, dangerous fumes, electricity, working at heights, moving vehicles or moving heavy loads. Less obvious, but at the root of many accidents, are hazards presented by untidy workplaces and poor maintenance. In the case of other hazards, such as excessive noise or exposure to chemicals, it may take months or even years before ill health materialises. Once you have identified the hazards, you can start to assess the risks

Step 2: Assess the risks Risk means the likelihood that someone will be harmed by a hazard, together with the severity of the harm suffered. Risk also depends on the number of people who might be exposed to the hazard.

In assessing the risk, you should estimate:

  • how likely it is that a hazard will cause harm,
  • how serious that harm is likely to be, and
  • how often and how many workers are exposed.

There are various methods for carrying out risk assessment which comply with the legal requirements.

Choose one which best suits your organisation

The simplest way to quantify the risk is low, medium or high:

Low risk: This is where the likelihood of an accident occurring is low and the severity is low. For example, intermittent work on a computer where the workstation is well laid out is unlikely to result in any harm to the user.

Medium risk: As the level of likelihood and severity increases, a hazard may be assessed as a medium risk. For example, manual handling of heavy loads without mechanical aids. You should use control measures to reduce these hazards to low risk.

High risk: You should focus on high risk hazards first, as there is a likelihood that an accident could occur and if it does then there could be serious injuries, ill health or death. For example, vehicles reversing where pedestrians / members of the public are walking. When assessing the risk, it is important to consider who may be exposed to a specific hazard.

Apart from direct employees, think about the people who may not be in the workplace all the time, for example:

  • cleaners,
  • visitors,
  • other employers’ workers such as outside contractors, and
  • outside maintenance personnel.

Where the public access your premises as part of the services you supply, you will need to assess the hazards that they are exposed to. Hazards could vary from slips, trips and falls to unauthorised entry to dangerous areas.

You may also need to consider vulnerable groups for which you may need to put in place additional control measures.

These vulnerable groups may include:

  • young people, who may be more at risk due to their inexperience and lack of training;
  • elderly people;
  • pregnant, post-natal and breastfeeding employees;
  • night and shift workers;
  • people with language disabilities or for whom English is not a first language;
  • people with different abilities or disabilities; and
  • people who are handling money or dealing with the public.

Once you have looked at the hazards in your workplace and identified the level of risk, you are ready to start the final step of the process: deciding the control measures.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH LOW MEDIUM HIGH LOW MEDIUM HIGH

Decide on the control measures Common sense tells us that life cannot be totally risk free. However, employers are required to do all that is reasonably practicable to minimise the risk of injury.

Employers will have done all that is reasonably practicable if they have:

  • identified the hazards and risks relating to the place of work, and
  • put in place appropriate control measures such that it would be grossly disproportionate to do more. When deciding on the appropriate control measures to put in place, employers need to ask themselves:
  • Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?
  • Can I change the way the job is done so as to make it safer?
  • If not, what safety precautions are necessary to control this risk?

Your first approach should be to eliminate the hazard from your workplace. Clearly if you get rid of a hazard, then you are making it safer for you and your employees. If you cannot eliminate a hazard then the next step is to try a safer approach.

 

Risk Assessment Guide

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 an employer is required to carry out risk assessments, prepare a safety statement and implement what it contains.  Health and Safety Authority inspectors visiting workplaces will want to know how safety and health is being managed. If they investigate an accident, they will scrutinise the risk assessments, safety statement, and the procedures as well as the work practices

Name of Assessor:

Date & Time of Assessment:

Name of person responsible for Health and Safety:

 

Hazard: Anything with the potential to cause injury or ill health, for example chemical substances, dangerous moving machinery, or threats of violence from others.

Risk: Risk is the chance that someone will be harmed by the hazard. It also takes account of how severe the harm or ill health could be and how many people could be affected. Because risk is a combination of chance (or likelihood) and severity, it is worthwhile considering both of these terms.

Chance (or likelihood):  Chance is a measure of how likely it is that an accident could happen. When people are working safely there is less chance that an accident will occur.

Severity: Severity is a measure of how serious an injury or health effect could be, as a consequence of unsafe working or of an accident. The severity can be influenced by the following:

  • the environment,
  • the number of people at risk, and
  • the steps already taken to control the hazard.

Control Measures: Control measures are simply what steps you are going to take to remove the hazards, or at least reduce the risk of them causing harm to as low a level as possible.

Hazards are broadly into 4 categories

Hazard

Risk

Risk Factor Rating (High,
Medium,
Low)

Those at Risk

Controls

Person Responsible

Mechanical hazards

 

 

 

 

 

Biological hazards

 

 

 

 

 

Ergonomic hazards

 

 

 

 

 

Psychological 
hazards

 

 

 

 

 

  • There is a legal requirement for you to undertake a risk assessment of those hazards which could cause harm to your staff and/or members of the public attending the event.
  • A risk assessment is a systematic approach to the control of hazards and should be done in relation to the physical characteristics of the venue, likely audience behaviour, technical installations, nature of performance etc.
  • It involves the identification of foreseeable hazards, evaluating the risks associated and considering what needs to be done to reduce the risks to an acceptable level.
  • The process should be comprehensively documented and recorded.
  • Write down all the activities and attractions, which make up the event and identify ways in which people (employees, the public and any contractors) could be harmed and the controls you will put in place to reduce the risks to an acceptable level.
  • The risk of a hazard causing harm is a measure of the likelihood or probability of an accident coupled with the severity of the injury or loss.
    • Control Measures; When deciding on the appropriate control measures to put in place, employers need to ask themselves:
    • Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?
    • Can I change the way the job is done so as to make it safer?
    • If not, what safety precautions are necessary to control this risk?

Your first approach should be to eliminate the hazard from your workplace. Clearly if you get rid of a hazard, then you are making it safer for you and your employees. If you cannot eliminate a hazard then the next step is to try a safer approach.

Control Measures; When deciding on the appropriate control measures to put in place, employers need to ask themselves:

  1. Can I get rid of the hazard all together?
  2. Can I change the way the job is done so as to make it safer?
  3. If not, what safety precautions are necessary to control this risk?

Your first approach should be to eliminate the hazard from your workplace. Clearly if you get rid of a hazard, then you are making it safer for you and your employees. If you cannot eliminate a hazard then the next step is to try a safer approach.

Use of Potentially Hazardous Equipment

Filming often requires the use of potentially hazardous equipment and or materials and the use of such equipment requires mandatory specialist training, induction and monitoring processes. Dublin City Council requires that certain precautions are taken to ensure the safety of everyone on and around the filming site.

Cranes, Camera Cranes and Aerial Platforms

  • When planning to use cherry pickers or cranes on the public roadway, Dublin City Council must be informed and clearance must be given. Dublin City Council will require that the production company give an undertaking to inform relevant local Garda stations.
  • The location manager or crane hire company should also discuss the exact positioning of such equipment with Dublin City Council’s Roads and Traffic Department of Dublin and the conditions of any permission granted should be adhered to at all times.
  • At night or in conditions of poor visibility, warning lights should be placed around the cherry-picker or crane.
  • Rigging or de-rigging must be carried out at times that will not cause an unreasonable noise or nuisance.

Lighting, Lighting Towers, Scaffolding, and Generators

  • The construction and positioning of lighting towers and scaffolding should be discussed with Dublin City Council in advance of the shoot and permits must be sought from the Roadworks Control Unit.
  • When placing lighting stands on the carriageway or the footway, Dublin City Council should be informed and permits must be sought from the Roadworks Control Unit.
  • Any generator used should be positioned as far away as possible from all residential properties. Petrol generators are not permitted in the public domain.
  • The following measures should be taken to prevent any risk to the public or production company employees:
    • All lights above ground level should be properly secured
    • Lighting stands placed on a footway should be attended at all times.
    • Lights should not dazzle motorists.
    • Lights should not be shone directly towards residential properties at night without prior permission from affected residents.

Cabling

  • All cables should be made safe immediately as they are laid and not at a later time.
  • Cables should be laid in the gutter along the roadway or in the junction between a wall and the footpath.
  • Cables on steps should be taped down to avoid the risk of tripping.
  • If there is a need to lay cabling across a footpath, there may be times when it will be sufficient to lay cables at right angles under a rubber mat. This matting should be a minimum of one meter wide, and visible to the public by proper lighting, cones or high-visibility hazard tape.
  • Rubber matting should be regarded as essential safety equipment and carried as a matter of course by the electrical department.
  • On quieter roads, it may be permissible to lay cables using proper cable ramps. If this is the case appropriate signage must be used.
  • It is essential to gain clearance from Dublin City Council before any cables are attached to street furniture or laid across public roads or public rights of way.

Temporary Structures

Temporary structures may include, but not be limited to, raised seating areas, large tents, marquees, stage sets, sound towers, camera platforms, film sets, elevated screens, etc.

 

A temporary structure may also include the temporary use of an existing structure not normally used for this purpose or not known to be suitable for the temporary use. Also included are modifications to existing structures for a temporary use, or the use of existing structures to support banners, signage, lighting etc., or the application of unusually high loads to existing structures during the construction or dismantling periods (e.g. crane bases, forklifts).

 

Temporary StructureReceiving Dept.Due Date

Structural detail to include

  • Drawings
  • Specifications
  • Calculations

Planning Department

Building Control Division

Block 4, Floor 2

Civic Offices

Wood Quay

Dublin 8

28 days prior to filming
The certificate from the structural engineer in relation to the erection of temporary structures

Planning Department

Building Control Division

Block 4, Floor 2

Civic Offices

Wood Quay Dublin 8

24 hours prior to filming commencing

Please see Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 (Exempted Development) Regulations, 1964 for further information on temporary structures.

 

The Production Company should engage a Chartered Structural Engineer at the outset to advise on all matters relating to temporary structures. The duties of this Engineer should include:

  1. Ensuring that relevant manufacturer’s information is available for all temporary structures and that no temporary structures have been omitted.
  2. Ensuring that calculations are available for all but the simplest temporary structures.
  3. Ensuring that calculations have been subject to independent checks by an appropriately qualified and experienced person. If this is the case, another detailed check is not required, although the Engineer should satisfy himself that the design assumptions are appropriate for the proposed location. He should also carry out brief checks on overall stability.
  4. Ensuring that there are no critical structural items and that the structural systems chosen have sufficient redundancy. Particular attention is required for moving parts of structures or structural elements that are suspended by motors, chains, slings etc.
  5. Ensuring that the temporary structure is appropriate for its proposed use
    Establishing that the temporary structure is subject to a regime of inspection that ensures that components are not distorted, bent or otherwise rendered unfit for purpose.
  6. Ensuring that the temporary structure can be safely built at the proposed location.
  7. Inspecting during and after construction and ensuring that the structure has been erected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and in accordance with any conditions or limitations imposed by the calculations.
  8. Ensuring that site conditions (e.g. sloping ground) do not compromise the performance or safety of the proposed structure.
  9. Advising on secondary structural issues or issues arising during construction.
  10. Certification that all temporary structures have been erected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant Code of Practice.
  11. Liaison with relevant Local Authority engineer.
  12. Preparation of risk assessments for temporary structures.
  13. Inspections during performance, if required; monitoring of wind and contingency measures in the event of high winds.
  14. Ensuring that non-structural aspects of temporary structures do not constitute a hazard e.g. sharp fins from galvanising, finger traps from barriers on uneven ground, barriers of insufficient height etc.
  15. Ensuring that items of structure about which he has a concern or query, that may not be included in the above list or not part of his remit, are dealt with satisfactorily by the appropriate authority (e.g., lamp posts, sign gantries, cranes, jetties, gangways etc.)

 

Community and Residents' Considerations

Good relations are the cornerstone of the film industry and all measures should be taken by each cast and crew member to maintain these good relations when filming on location. Filmmakers should remember that they are visitors at the location and businesses and residents comfort should be a priority for the production. Members of the public should be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times.

  • All neighbouring residents and businesses likely to be affected by filming at a location should be notified in writing before filming commences at that location.
  • The Location Manager or other designated crew member should liaise closely with local communities and residents, and their views and requirements should be taken on board to ensure minimum disruption to the daily lives of residents.
  • Crew members should keep access to homes and businesses clear at all times.
  • The production company should make all crew aware of this Code Best of Practice.

Parking

  • Location Managers/ Unit Production Managers should discuss all parking plans with Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána in advance of filming, in particular, the on-street requirement for technical vehicles, other on-street equipment and bays to be reserved or kept empty for ‘continuity’.
  • It is not advisable to enter into binding location contracts, or assume that a location is viable until parking requirements have been agreed with Dublin City Council, if Dublin City Council parking spaces are required.
  • Location Managers/ Unit Production Managers are responsible for the adherence to parking or vehicular movement agreements made with Dublin City Council.
  • Residents’ bays and Disabled bays are rarely suspended but may be temporarily relocated in consultation with the relevant Dublin City Council Department.
  • Film vehicles will not be allowed to park in such a way that the passage of pedestrians or vehicular traffic is blocked or impeded or that emergency access is restricted or denied. Prior agreement must be secured from Dublin City Council to block a footway for filming and an alternative safe crossing for pedestrians arranged.

Coning

Ordinary traffic cones have no legal force to secure parking and their use must be agreed with Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána.

Care of the Location and Surrounding Areas

When filming in the public domain it is paramount that the filming location and all surrounding areas are restored to the same condition that they were found in prior to any filming activities once filming and derig is complete.

Going Green!

Dublin’s waste strategy goals are summarised by the EU waste hierarchy pyramid, which stresses that a new approach to managing waste is required to lead to more sustainable waste management. The strategy is to place emphasis on prevention, minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery of energy in order to end the over-reliance on landfill disposal.


The film and television industry traditionally creates a vast amount of waste; we would encourage production companies to consult The Green Production Guide when managing waste on location, steps should be taken to:

  • Minimise the use of plastic bottles by using recyclable cups instead.
  • Separate waste, using green, brown and black bins and using the appropriate waste disposal company for each bin.
  • Minimise food waste and implement a food recovery system or donate food left over to a food bank.

Filmmakers are guests on a location and must treat both public and private property with respect, production companies should ensure that:

  1. Rubbish bins be made available by the company and be cleared regularly in a safe and proper manner.
  2. Objects belonging to the location should not be moved or removed without the owner’s express permission.
  3. All signs or property removed or disguised for filming purposes should be reinstated upon completion of filming.
  4. The company should make good any damage caused by its activities immediately after filming and should notify all parties concerned.
  5. Whenever necessary, the company should ensure that security staff protects the location and its environments.
  6. The crew member responsible for the location should check it thoroughly before departure to ensure that the property has been restored to its original state and that any evidence of filming activity has been removed.
  7. All temporary signage erected to direct cast and crew to any location should be removed from street furniture in a timely fashion. The cost of removal of location signage by Dublin City Council will be charged to the production company.

Catering and Removal of Litter

  • Dublin City Council should be contacted to consult the off street arrangements for catering trucks if in the public domain.
  • It is the producer’s responsibility to ensure that all catering materials and equipment are removed before the end of each days filming.
  • Drinks and meals should be taken only in designated areas.

Night Filming (8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.)

  • Night shoots in residential areas are naturally sensitive and it is essential to consider and consult with local residents and businesses as part of the planning process.
  • There may be cases when equipment or heavy vehicles that cannot be removed silently at the end of filming must be left ‘in situ’ and attended by overnight security. The local Garda Station and Dublin City Council should be contacted in advance and advice should be requested with regard to night filming.
  • The production company should ensure that appropriate security measures are in place when sites (i.e. sets, unit base, crew parking, stand-by vehicles parking) are not in use.
  • If necessary, blackouts should be provided to residents that are affected by film lighting being used at night.

Noise and Nuisance

  • Noise should be kept to a minimum when setting up early in the morning. Generators should not be switched on until after 8.00a.m. unless they are silent or if prior permission has been given by Dublin City Council.
  • It is advisable to shoot all scenes requiring noise above conversational level before 8.00p.m. Two way radios should be turned down to a minimum and earpieces should be used.
  • “NO SMOKING” areas must be observed. Where smoking is allowed, cigarettes must be extinguished in ashtrays provided by the company.
  • Production vehicles should be parked where agreed at pre-arranged times. Engines should be switched off on arrival. Cast and crew should not park in the immediate vicinity of a location unless spaces are provided.
  • Crew members must not trespass onto neighbouring property or enter areas of a location that the owner has stipulated may not be used for filming.
  • The filming of artists to “sound play-back” should only be undertaken in a public area with the prior agreement from of Dublin City Council.

Environmentally Sensitive Urban Locations

  • Special care must be exercised when working in historic or environmentally sensitive sites, where any damage caused can be irreparable. Filmmakers must outline their plans fully with location owners and all interested government agencies and public services of such locations well in advance, to allow the necessary protective measures to be taken.
  • Photographs of the site before the shoot should be taken. It is also advised that photographs of the site should be taken when filming is completed.
  • When working in areas designated as ‘Special Areas of Conservation’ (SAC) by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) (formerly Dúchas), it is essential to notify the relevant regional NPWS office as soon as possible with a request to film. If you are unsure if the area you would like to use as a film location is part of an SAC, you should immediately contact the relevant regional NPWS office for clarification. Contact the NPWS head office at 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2 for their regional office network on Tel: +353 (0) 1 888 3242, Email: [email protected]

If you require clarification or further information on anything covered on this page please reach out and contact us!

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