Donna Massam

Last week in our seminar Deborah explained to us the health and safety issues that we have to take into consideration before setting up the lighting, whilst setting up the lighting and also afterwards. These are to both ensure the safety of the person setting up the lighting and the people around the area.

This is what i learned from the seminar:

Firstly before plugging the lights in you have to check that the lights are safe to use. These steps will ensure that the lights are safe:

checking the cables for any kind of split or cuts and that there are no revealing wires, if there are none then the to check the plug and that it is connected properly and again that there are no wires revealed. (This is obviously to avoid being electrocuted)

Check that the light have been correctly connected to the stand (This is to avoid the light falling off the stand which could injure people around the area, it is extremely dangerous also as the light become very hot and could burn somebody.)

Make sure that the light have been placed in a suitable place, avoid putting them near any kind of exit as it is clearly in everybody path. (For example if somebody isn't looking where they are going then the could bump into the light, causing a lot of hazards for both that person and people around that area, somebody could get burned because if some thing falls a persons initial reaction is to reach for it to stop it, if this happens they could burn their hands. If the light falls to the floor it could cause somebody to fall over the light.)

Use the safety glass or scrim (which should be with the lighting kit) to avoid the light becoming so hot and smashing. (This could be dangerous as it could hit somebody and cut them or go into their eyes)

Once the lights have been plugged in make sure the wires fall down horizontally down the side of the light, goes straight along the floor and then that all loose wire is positioned near the wall it is plugged into, then place a floor mat over the wire laid across the floor.(This is to avoid anybody tripping over the wire. (if the wire just hangs above the floor then this obviously could case someone to trip over it.)

As the lights are so bright it is a good idea to warn others around you that you are going to turn the lights on, as to not suddenly surprise them with the intense lighting in their face. (This could cause problems for example if there is anyone in the room with certain health conditions.)

Always wear safety gloves when handling the lights as they become very hot because they are so powerful.(This could result in someone seriously burning themselves on the lights.)

When you have finished using the lights, it is best to warn others around you that the light is still hot and is cooling down by turning the light to face the wall and lowering the head of the light towards the floor. (If it is not set out light this, somebody could just go for the light not knowing that it is still hot and again seriously burn themselves.)