BECTU releases 'Safe return to work' guidance

Bectu guidance on safe return to work

Bectu has now made available its detailed guidance on COVID-19 safe-working practices.

Scripted film and TV guidance

For scripted film and TV there are two documents that should be read together:

• British Film Commission Film and TV Production Code of Practice; and
• Bectu’s guidance on Scripted Film and TV.

Bectu’s scripted film and TV recovery plan was led by Jai Lusser of the union's Assistant Directors Branch with contributions from hundreds of Bectu representatives, representing approximately 15,000 members working in the UK film and TV sector. It contains detailed guidance on specific departmental work as well as an overview of  industry practices.

Throughout April and May 2020, Bectu was consulted by the British Film Commission  on its Film & TV Production Code of Practice, covering return to workplaces during the COVID-19 crisis.This document has been sent to every employer in the ‘inward investment in film and high-end TV’ sector, with the recommendation that their working practices should be based on it.

This document has been signed off by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and was made public on the BFC website on 1 June.

See the BFC guidance

Unscripted: Factual, Entertainment and Outside Broadcast

In addition UK broadcasters have published their own guidance for factual, entertainment and outside broadcasting safeworking with input from Bectu.

Bectu reps agreed to produce detailed guidance for members on specific departmental safe-working standards and assemble it in one easy-to-read guidance document.

Bectu reminds members that employers have a duty of care to workers that they hire and no-one should work if they believe that they are doing so in a way that is unsafe. The document is intended to help workers give employers an agreed outline of what good safe-working entails in the event of a disagreement.

Working for commercials

• Advertising Producers Association (APA) guidance

Working in post-production and VFX

• UK Screen Alliance – Post & VFX Covid-19 Guidance Version 1-0

Understanding your right to stay safe at work

Bectu always reminds its members to exercise their legal right to refuse to work if they think their work environment is unsafe. The intention of the COVID-19 guidance is to provide supporting documentation that allows an informed choice.

Separately, the union will be publishing advice to members on potential changes to working terms and conditions relating to sick-pay and payment for other COVID-19 absences.

Download the Bectu report on the film & TV recovery plan