Abstract:

Failures to manage occupational risk competently and comply with occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation can jeopardise the attainment of business objectives, limit or negate profits, and inhibit an entities sustainability. Enterprises and individuals failing to manage occupational risk appropriately may also incur financial or custodial penalties. Some businesses may even be curtailed as a result of enforced closure or costly and ongoing litigation. It has been widely demonstrated that the health and wellbeing of workers are important contributors to the success of any business. As Queensland and Australia’s film, television and new media industries engage in a fiercely competitive global marketplace, the development of a flourishing OHS culture and high levels of workplace morale will deliver valuable competitive advantages to the industry.

The ‘Safety Induction Blue Card’ introduced into the Construction industry in many states throughout Australia has proved to be successful. This initiative provides basic OHS competencies for all those working in the building and allied industries and must be attained by all workers. This OHS intervention is improving safety performance industry wide, and increasingly protecting the wellbeing of workers. With the adoption of national certification, OHS inductions in the construction industry will be harmonised across all states providing consistency, uniformity and integration.

This paper examines the notion of introducing a Safety Induction Blue Card certification into the Queensland film, television and new media industry as a pilot project and precursor to national implementation. This strategy will assist address the OHS deficiencies noted above.

Bio:

Nicholas Oughton has extensive experience in risk management and occupational health in the visual and performing arts. He is a leading researcher in these fields and has been widely published. In addition, he has wide experience in cinematography, has produced and directed several highly regarded educational films and videos and worked as a production manager on international prize-winning theatrical films. Nicholas has been involved in film and television education since 1978, developing numerous undergraduate and post-graduate degree programs. He has been a member of several industry bodies, including the Industry Sector Standing Committee, Arts Training Queensland and the Queensland Film Industry Council. He is an executive member of the Australian Screen Production, Education and Research Association (ASPERA), and senior lecturer and convener of Film and Television Production at Griffith University.