SAFETY ON SET - RUNNERS - THE UNSUNG HEROES OF PRODUCTION

Depending on who you ask or where you look a runner will be described in a variety of ways most of them being somewhat glamourised to entice potential candidates into taking on the role...

For those who don't know

Production Runners are basically, the hands, feet and backbone of the production team.

They can be asked to do almost anything, and in most cases these tasks range from copying documents such as call sheets, sides, scripts, safety notices and other paperwork and then they're expected to post them up or distribute them to crew. They do supply runs, general office jobs like manning ?phones, filing, paperwork and entering data, buy and re stock stationery and keep everyone stocked up with caffeine and snacks. Runners are usually freelancers.

As a runner, you'll act as a general assistant, working under the direction of the producer and other production staff to undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process.

This role provides the opportunity to gain vital experience and knowledge of the production process, offering valuable networking opportunities, and is often seen as the first step on the ladder for people aspiring to roles in broadcasting media.?

They will also be expected to do quite a bit of driving? to collect and deliver equipment and scripts and run errands, drive between sets or between locations and to and from production offices and pick up and drop the actors and some the Director or Producer to their accommodation or home.

Sound fun? Maybe to some, what I do know is that it is a great opportunity for someone to get a foot in the door and use it a vehicle to figure out what it is that they really want to do with in the industry.

It is great it will be exactly what you make of it

What a lot of people don’t realise and take for granted are the hours, they are long very long early mornings, late nights, long days..

Most runners are young, relatively inexperienced drivers who are expected to be responsible for the safety of some the productions most valued assets.. and I think this is almost always under estimated and overlooked.

Runners who are driving either on their own or anyone regardless of title or role must be made aware of the fact that, if they are driving a motor vehicle they are ultimately in control of the vehicle and in charge of it.?

Which means you cop the fines...You take the blame... and if its really bad you live with the result.

All Runners, Cast Drivers, Bus Drivers and Unit Drivers must be advised to obey all local and government roads rules and under no circumstances are they to stop in ‘No Stopping’ areas or contravene any road rules, double park, speed or take unnecessary chances that may place themselves, the cast, crew or, members of the public, in harm’s way by short cutting or trying to save time getting to or from set. Regardless of what your passengers are saying to you or what you’ve been told.

If you cannot stop or park legally do not stop or park at all.?

Runners are put under a lot of pressure to perform and they shouldn't be made to feel that they have to at a detriment to their safety.

Driver fatigue is one of the biggest causes of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the road. ?Many of these crashes occur late at night or early in the morning.

Everyone has a responsibility to ensure exposure to fatigue is minimized.

The risk of sleep debt and fatigue is higher when doing shift work, particularly extended shifts and night work; long hours of work and/or high levels of overtime; unpredictable work schedules, sound familiar?

Now this bout is necessarily restricted to runners and cast drivers, fatigue happens to everyone on set.

Know the signs of tiredness

• Yawning, feeling drowsy, tired or exhausted.
• Noticing your eyes closing for a moment or going out of focus.
• Blinking more than usual.
• Having trouble keeping your head up.
• Forgetting the previous few minutes of driving.
• Starting to 'see' things.
• Droning and humming in ears.

If you have any of these symptoms while driving find a safe place to pull over and rest for at least 15 minutes or until you feel refreshed.

If you need to drive someone to a destination or pick them up, or need to get home and you feel too tired to drive, inform your HOD of the situation so they can make alternate arrangements, it’s not worth the risk.

Employers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that those persons required to drive vehicles of any kind are in fit condition, fully awake and alert to do so.?

Employers and employees may be held responsible for driver fatigue crashes.

The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act places obligations upon employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees in the workplace. Employers, in consultation with employees, must identify risks to health and safety, assess the risks, then eliminate the risks or where this is not reasonably practicable, control the risks.

A lot is expected of our runners and drivers, and our on set crew at times for that matter, without a lot of consideration and more often than not they will deliver, and deliver droves, sometimes to their own detriment, they serve heroically and without question with little reward or acknowledgement.

I'm not asking for a revolution; I'm asking for a discussion and maybe a bit of recognition for them.

Runners are definitely the unsung heroes and some of the hardest workers in production at times, know the risks, know the signs, know your responsibilities...

Open dialogue between production and production runners/drivers and crew can be a huge step toward preventing, minimising or removing the chance of any incidents occurring or placing anyone at risk of injury or worse.

Knowledge is power and power comes from collaboration and communication.

SAFETY ON SET is something we can all enjoy from the runners to those who run things... ??

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