This chapter provides guidance in relation to
working with motor vehicles on a production.
All workers who undertake work with, or work that interacts with, motor vehicles or drive to work should read and understand the section on ‘minimum responsibilities’.
Roles that have specific responsibilities, or influence, over work with motor vehicles should read the section on ‘planning and guidance considerations’ – this includes producers, directors, production managers, line producers, heads of departments, assistant directors and health and safety officers.
Anyone who operates or is responsible for, or has influence over, a motor vehicle must read and understand all sections of this chapter. This includes drivers of Heavy Motor Vehicles/ Goods Service Vehicles of more than two axles or greater than 3500 kilos manufacturer’s gross laden weight, and to drivers of any vehicle carrying more than 10 passengers.
Action vehicle means any moving vehicle being used as part of a film sequence.
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) means any vehicle that is principally designed for off-road use. They have three or more wheels, an engine capacity exceeding 50ml and a gross weight of less than 1000kg.
Motor vehicle means any powered vehicle or trailer used on or off the road.
Tracking vehicle means a vehicle that is used for the mounting of cameras and other equipment for photography of, or in, a stationary or moving vehicle.
Everyone on a screen production who does, or could, work with motor vehicles, or drives to work, should read and understand this section.
Driving responsibly – whether at work or driving to or from work – is everyone’s responsibility.
All workers must:
Foreign drivers should follow this chapter and can find out more useful information from the NZ Transport Agency.
Everyone who has planning responsibilities for or planning influence over activities that interact with motor vehicles should read and understand this section, as well as the minimum responsibilities for everybody.
This includes funders, the production company, producers, persons in charge, and health and safety officers.
Person in charge
The person in charge / those with direct planning responsibilities for or influence over a driver (such as the worker’s superior or the person who hired them) must ensure the driver:
Funders should:
The health and safety officer should ensure potential risks associated with motor vehicles are discussed with all cast and crew during health and safety inductions and / or as required if circumstances on the set change.
Anyone who operates or is responsible for, or has influence over, a motor vehicle must read and understand this section, as well as the previous sections, including, but not limited to, drivers of passenger vehicles, Heavy Motor Vehicles and Goods Service Vehicles.
Drivers – all
All drivers must:
All drivers should:
The person in charge of those operating motor vehicles – such as a direct supervisor or the person who hired the worker – on or around the production should ensure:
It is recommended that all drivers on a production follow the same rules provided by the New Zealand government to drivers of heavy motor vehicles / good service vehicles and small passenger service vehicles.
This means, in any 24-hour period drivers:
Drivers of tracking vehicles should understand and ensure recommendations in this section are followed.
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE SHOOTS
When performing vehicle-to-vehicle shoots, the vehicles should be driven by a driver competent in close moving vehicle driving.
RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE AND SAFE LOADING
The vehicle should be restricted to essential personnel only and the loading shall be within the safe loading limits of the vehicle.
There should no more people in the vehicle than there are seats with seatbelts.
PUBLIC ROADS
When filming on or adjacent to public roads a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) must be applied for and approved by the roading authority responsible for that section of road. TMP’s can only be obtained through a registered traffic management company. It is recommended that a traffic management company familiar with filming and events is contracted to provide these services.
When filming on or adjacent to a public road where the driving public may be distracted, the Police should be notified. Adequate warning should be given to other traffic of a tracking vehicle operating. The Traffic Management Company notifies Police if necessary, not the film company.
If on an open road, the overall dimensions of the vehicle should not exceed the dimensions set out by the NZ Transport Agency
TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
When filming on or adjacent to public roads, a designated traffic controller must be engaged, likely by the locations manager, to be responsible for carrying out temporary public traffic control duties as required.
The traffic controller:
MOUNTING EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE
Any equipment attached to a vehicle that is to be driven on a public road must be included in the TMP (see above) and approved of in advance by the issuing authority.
Equipment mounted on the vehicle must be firmly attached to the vehicle.If using lamps or other equipment running off 230 volt power supply (mains, generator or invertor), lamps must comply to relevant New Zealand regulations and the chapter on electrical safety should be read and followed.
Any rigging on a vehicle must be undertaken by a competent person. Equipment rigged inside or outside of a vehicle should be secured so as not harm occupants in an accident.
TOWING WEIGHT LIMITATIONS
The manufacturers limitations on the maximum weight being towed by a vehicle should be complied with.
SAFETY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS
Extra consideration should be given to the safety of personnel working on such vehicles in adverse conditions.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TRAFFIC CONTROLLER AND DRIVER
The 1st assistant director or person with delegated responsibility should ensure that adequate communication with the driver and traffic controller is established before any driving takes place.
WARNING OF MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES
Warning of the movement of vehicles should be given to all crew and cast members in the immediate vicinity of the vehicles.
DRY RUN AND AUTHORITY TO ABORT
A “dry run” or “walk through” of any action should be conducted prior to rehearsal or filming with all personnel involved present. An understanding of any intended action, possible deviations and authority to abort, should be made clear to all concerned.
Action vehicles
The appropriate person in charge, for example the stunt or vehicle coordinator, must ensure action vehicles:
All-terrain vehicles
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) include quad bikes, smaller ‘side-by-sides’ and amphibious vehicles.
ON ROAD
When using ATVs on roads, drivers, and the person in charge, must ensure:
OFF ROAD
An ATV that is never used on a road does not need to be registered or licensed.
When using ATVs off roads, drivers, and the person in charge, must ensure:
For more information about ATV requirements visit the NZ Transport Agency website.
Quads bikes and ATVs, NZTA
Safe filming and recording in, from and around vehicles, HSE
Vehicles: recording in, from and around, BBC
Guidelines to filming on the move, Metropolitan Police
ScreenSafe is not a hotline for specific Health & Safety issues or concerns, please direct these to your Health & Safety representative or WorkSafe
For more information about any of the initiatives ScreenSafe is working on please speak to your relevant Guild representative or contact info@screensafe.co.nz
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