Filming Risk Assessment Form Template for New Zealand

When undertaking any filming project in New Zealand, you must complete a comprehensive risk assessment to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The Filming Risk Assessment Form serves as your primary tool for identifying, evaluating, and managing potential hazards across all aspects of your production, from equipment handling to location-specific dangers.

When do you need this document?

You must complete this form before commencing any filming activity in New Zealand, regardless of scale or purpose. Commercial productions, documentaries, student films, and even small-scale shoots require risk assessment documentation. The form is particularly crucial when filming in challenging environments such as construction sites, near water bodies, using specialized equipment like drones or cranes, or conducting stunts and special effects sequences. Insurance providers often require completed risk assessments before coverage begins, and location owners typically mandate them before granting filming permits.

Key legal considerations

Your risk assessment must demonstrate a systematic approach to hazard identification and control measures. The document should clearly outline the likelihood and potential consequences of identified risks, utilizing a standardized risk matrix to prioritize safety interventions. You must include detailed emergency response procedures and ensure all crew members understand their safety responsibilities. The form requires identification of competent persons responsible for specific safety aspects, including stunt coordinators for action sequences and special effects supervisors for pyrotechnics. Regular review and updates are mandatory when production circumstances change, new hazards emerge, or incidents occur.

Legal requirements in New Zealand

New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 places primary duty of care on production companies as persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). You must follow the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 2016 for detailed risk management protocols and incorporate ScreenSafe NZ guidelines specific to the screen industry. When using hazardous substances or pyrotechnics, compliance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 is essential. Local authorities may require additional permits under the Local Government Act 2002, particularly for public space filming or activities affecting traffic flow. The form must be readily available for inspection by WorkSafe New Zealand inspectors and should be retained for at least five years following production completion.