Location Hazard Assessment

Identify, document, and address potential safety risks associated with filming at specific locations.

Overview

The Location Hazard Assessment checklist is used to identify potential risks at a filming location before production takes place. These may include physical hazards, chemical hazards, biohazards, animal or plant hazards, electrical hazards, fall risks, environmental concerns, or other conditions that could affect cast, crew, equipment, or the public.

This assessment is important because location risks are easiest to manage when they are identified early. Documenting hazards in advance allows the production and school to determine whether additional safety measures, approvals, adjustments, or alternate plans are needed before filming begins.

Instructions

The Producer is responsible for conducting a thorough inspection of every shooting location and completing a separate Location Hazard Assessment form for each site. This form should be completed before the project’s tech scout or director’s prep so that any identified risks can be reviewed with faculty in advance.

When completing the form, be specific and practical. The goal is not simply to identify hazards, but to document how the production might mitigate or manage them. If a hazard is present, clearly describe the precautions the production could take to reduce risk.

Hazards may include:

  • Physical hazards
  • Chemical hazards
  • Biohazards
  • Animal hazards
  • Plant hazards
  • Electrical hazards
  • Falling hazards
  • Vehicular hazards
  • Fire hazards
  • Airborne hazards
  • Water hazards
  • Facility hazards
  • Societal hazards

The assessment should reflect the actual conditions of the location at the time of scouting. Productions should revisit and update assessments if conditions significantly change prior to filming.

Sample

Here’s a sample version of what the completed form should look like:

Sample form