jumpkutz
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Let's see if this works.....read at your own peril.
Raycom News Operations Safety Update
By November 24th of 2008, a new OSHA regulation impacting reporters and photographers will become effective. ALL media representatives covering incidents along all major highways and roadways will need to wear an ANSI 107 Class 2 Reflective Safety Vest (see insert). To meet the standard, the vest requires at least 775 square inches of background fluorescent material. These vests are relatively inexpensive and generally are available for under $20. They can be purchased from various vendors including www.safetyvests.com, www.uline.com and www.galls.com. Various options exist and should be selected based upon your station needs. Just be sure that it is stated on a tag on the vest that it meets the ANSI Class 2 requirements.
The following summarizes what actions are required under the new regulation and includes reminders for safe news vehicle operations.
Safety Equipment in Company Vehicles
At least two ANSI Class 2 OSHA compliant safety vests should be carried in news vehicles at all times. Reporters, Photographers and Live Truck Operators are required to wear them when working near expressways, freeways and heavy traffic roadways. Mandatory compliance with this OSHA regulation is required by November 24, 2008, and traffic citations may be issued by law enforcement personnel if safety vests are not worn while working outside of the vehicle. The employee may be responsible for payment of these fines, as determined by management, if the employee does not comply.
It is also always desirable to have a Basic First Aid Kit, a Fire Extinguisher capable of extinguishing A, B and C type fire, road flares or reflective triangles and or a flashing yellow caution light as a basic set of safety equipment in any vehicle.
Parking of Company Vehicles on Expressways/Freeways
Live trucks and company vehicles should never be parked on or directly beside expressways, freeways and heavy traffic roadways, or on overpasses without prior approval of law enforcement personnel and then only when the vehicle is well off the road and well away from any possible road associated danger.
If you are working at the scene of a vehicular accident, always park your vehicle within the perimeter of the emergency vehicles and well away from the roadside. In this particular case make sure you coordinate the vehicle’s parked location with the law enforcement officer in charge.
Shooting an incident in a heavy traffic area
Never cross a busy roadway on foot to get a shot. Always make sure you and the person who is with you has on the required safety vest. Always be aware of your surroundings, watch out for traffic. When shooting beside the road, make sure someone perhaps law enforcement or emergency personnel is with you to aid in your peripheral vision. Many photographers and reporters have been injured when blindsided by oncoming traffic.
Lighting of Live Shots Near Heavy Traffic Areas
Never point your lights directly into oncoming traffic. This may be a ticketed offense in some states. Use barn doors, soft box or diffusers to soften the possibility of pointing blinding light at oncoming traffic. Lights can also be angled away from the roadside.
General Live Truck Operation
In addition to Company and Station policies in this regard posted here in the News section of our Intranet Site, please keep in mind the following reminders.
- During an electrical storm, NO live shot is safe. Not even with the mast down.
- Crews in the field have the primary responsibility to determine if a live shot is safe. If there is a difference of opinion with the station or others in this regard, news management should be consulted immediately.
Working in Crowds
If a crew feels a physical threat to their personal safety, they must use their best judgment as to continuing or terminating the shoot. They should immediately notify the station of these circumstances as well as their intentions.
Aircraft Safety
The pilot always has the primary responsibility to determine safe operating conditions. If there is disagreement in this regard, news management should be immediately consulted before flight operations begin. Every Photographer/Reporter should be given safety procedures to follow while on the ground and in the air by the Pilot in Command of the aircraft. Any employee who does not wish to fly should notify news management if they are not comfortable in doing so.
If possible a position of the aircraft should be relayed to the assignment desk at a minimum of fifteen minute intervals. Radio contact at the point of takeoff and another at landing is required and if two-way communication is not possible, station management should be notified before take off. Any safety concerns involving the aircraft, flying or the pilot should be brought to the immediate attention of news management.
Additional Items to Consider:
• If a vehicle breaks down locally or out of town, work with station management to determine where to repair the vehicle. If a crew is out of town and the vehicle breaks down you might consider using this website to find information about repair shops and mobile tire repair. www.truckdown.com.
• As an alternative to the Metro Maps equipped in many vehicles, mobile G.P.S. units are something to consider for ENG & Sat trucks. They are becoming less expensive and can save time in transit.
Special thanks to Raycom News Operations Safety Taskforce members for helping to compile this information:
Ryan Vetter-WTOL
Robert Chandler-WAFB
Clint Moore-WMC
Kim Fatica-WOIO
Let's see if this works.....read at your own peril.
Raycom News Operations Safety Update
By November 24th of 2008, a new OSHA regulation impacting reporters and photographers will become effective. ALL media representatives covering incidents along all major highways and roadways will need to wear an ANSI 107 Class 2 Reflective Safety Vest (see insert). To meet the standard, the vest requires at least 775 square inches of background fluorescent material. These vests are relatively inexpensive and generally are available for under $20. They can be purchased from various vendors including www.safetyvests.com, www.uline.com and www.galls.com. Various options exist and should be selected based upon your station needs. Just be sure that it is stated on a tag on the vest that it meets the ANSI Class 2 requirements.
The following summarizes what actions are required under the new regulation and includes reminders for safe news vehicle operations.
Safety Equipment in Company Vehicles
At least two ANSI Class 2 OSHA compliant safety vests should be carried in news vehicles at all times. Reporters, Photographers and Live Truck Operators are required to wear them when working near expressways, freeways and heavy traffic roadways. Mandatory compliance with this OSHA regulation is required by November 24, 2008, and traffic citations may be issued by law enforcement personnel if safety vests are not worn while working outside of the vehicle. The employee may be responsible for payment of these fines, as determined by management, if the employee does not comply.
It is also always desirable to have a Basic First Aid Kit, a Fire Extinguisher capable of extinguishing A, B and C type fire, road flares or reflective triangles and or a flashing yellow caution light as a basic set of safety equipment in any vehicle.
Parking of Company Vehicles on Expressways/Freeways
Live trucks and company vehicles should never be parked on or directly beside expressways, freeways and heavy traffic roadways, or on overpasses without prior approval of law enforcement personnel and then only when the vehicle is well off the road and well away from any possible road associated danger.
If you are working at the scene of a vehicular accident, always park your vehicle within the perimeter of the emergency vehicles and well away from the roadside. In this particular case make sure you coordinate the vehicle’s parked location with the law enforcement officer in charge.
Shooting an incident in a heavy traffic area
Never cross a busy roadway on foot to get a shot. Always make sure you and the person who is with you has on the required safety vest. Always be aware of your surroundings, watch out for traffic. When shooting beside the road, make sure someone perhaps law enforcement or emergency personnel is with you to aid in your peripheral vision. Many photographers and reporters have been injured when blindsided by oncoming traffic.
Lighting of Live Shots Near Heavy Traffic Areas
Never point your lights directly into oncoming traffic. This may be a ticketed offense in some states. Use barn doors, soft box or diffusers to soften the possibility of pointing blinding light at oncoming traffic. Lights can also be angled away from the roadside.
General Live Truck Operation
In addition to Company and Station policies in this regard posted here in the News section of our Intranet Site, please keep in mind the following reminders.
- During an electrical storm, NO live shot is safe. Not even with the mast down.
- Crews in the field have the primary responsibility to determine if a live shot is safe. If there is a difference of opinion with the station or others in this regard, news management should be consulted immediately.
Working in Crowds
If a crew feels a physical threat to their personal safety, they must use their best judgment as to continuing or terminating the shoot. They should immediately notify the station of these circumstances as well as their intentions.
Aircraft Safety
The pilot always has the primary responsibility to determine safe operating conditions. If there is disagreement in this regard, news management should be immediately consulted before flight operations begin. Every Photographer/Reporter should be given safety procedures to follow while on the ground and in the air by the Pilot in Command of the aircraft. Any employee who does not wish to fly should notify news management if they are not comfortable in doing so.
If possible a position of the aircraft should be relayed to the assignment desk at a minimum of fifteen minute intervals. Radio contact at the point of takeoff and another at landing is required and if two-way communication is not possible, station management should be notified before take off. Any safety concerns involving the aircraft, flying or the pilot should be brought to the immediate attention of news management.
Additional Items to Consider:
• If a vehicle breaks down locally or out of town, work with station management to determine where to repair the vehicle. If a crew is out of town and the vehicle breaks down you might consider using this website to find information about repair shops and mobile tire repair. www.truckdown.com.
• As an alternative to the Metro Maps equipped in many vehicles, mobile G.P.S. units are something to consider for ENG & Sat trucks. They are becoming less expensive and can save time in transit.
Special thanks to Raycom News Operations Safety Taskforce members for helping to compile this information:
Ryan Vetter-WTOL
Robert Chandler-WAFB
Clint Moore-WMC
Kim Fatica-WOIO
I asked him had he considered ASKING the station for a copy of the vision? The answer was no..