OSSS – a part of the CCPU (COVID Close Protection Unit) – have developed an approach for filming safely during Covid-19.
Context
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact across the world. The crisis and its consequences will be with us for the foreseeable future. Operating with these consequences has become the new normal.
Current Situation
The film industry is in a difficult place, partially amid fears for production in the post Brexit climate and then we are hit with a pandemic in a very short space of time. For the last few weeks, the population has been in lockdown minimising social contact. Within the film industry this has forced sets to be closed, staff to be furloughed and schedules to be decimated.
We believe that ‘there is no emergency in a crisis’. As we see the lockdown lift, we are facing a change in normal working practices, new protection measures have to be put in place to ensure everybody (cast, crew and support staff) can recommence working. This must be in a safe and secure environment.
Our Offering
Our Vison is simple:
‘No one will contract COVID-19 on a CCPU site’
This vision drives us to deliver our Mission and Purpose which is:
‘to ensure that the UK Film and TV industry has sufficient confidence, and skills to be able to reopen after the COVID 19 pandemic, in a safe and secure manner in order to get the UK film and TV industry working again’.
The COVID Close Protection Unit (CCPU) brings together some of the best minds and experience in the film industry in regards to health and safety. Building on medical best practice, decades of experience in emergency response and practical film industry experience the CCPU has been formed.
Our team includes paramedic crews with filming experience, film industry risk assessment and management teams, as well as practical implementation of studio spaces that have been configured to be COVID operational. This expertise can be employed for location shoots as well as studio-based projects.
Our teams have been active during the pandemic taking on the role of NHS first responders, NHS ambulance work and consultants and applying their accumulated knowledge and experience to the TV and film industry. We are bringing this offering together as a total package in order to ensure that productions can get back on track in a safe and healthy environment.
Benefits of our Approach
We understand the culture and pressures of film making. We have in excess of thirty years plus of health and safety film experience. Our paramedic and marshal teams are all COVID trained and have firsthand experience of working with complex teams during the pandemic.
We already have in place cutting edge systems, equipment and technology to deal with pandemics including:
- Antiseptic fogging equipment
- Hand gel stations
- Biometric monitoring systems
- Scalable PPE systems
- COVID trained staff
Our approach to keeping you safe utilises our proprietary, proven process: – The Three Zone Protocol. This is a structured methodology that has been tried and tested in emergency response around the world. The approach is a scalable system based on 3 operating zones which build upon each other, like the rings on an onion. The approach begins with consultation and planning through initial site recce to shoot wrap up.
An overview of our Three-Zone Protocol is given below:
Prior to the implementation of The Three Zone Protocol the following critical steps are undertaken by the CCPU with your Production Heads:
- Consult and monitor COVID-19 issues as well as other health and safety preventative measures during the recce
- Produce, distribute and manage the COVID-19 declaration documentation. This is performed in conjunction with the production team, ideally prior to the shoot. These will also be available on the day to accommodate last minute changes and maintain flexibility
- Provision of notices and posters promoting best practice to minimise risks of COVID-19 at strategic points around the location
- Configure, establish and maintain The Three Zone Protocol throughout the location for the duration of the project.
