What is the first step in the risk assessment process for film production?

• A. Evaluate existing safety protocols.
• B. Approve budget for safety equipment.
• C. Identify and record the hazards/dangers.
• D. Assign safety roles to crew members.

Answer: (C)

The first step is to identify and record the hazards and dangers. Before you can judge how risky something is or decide what protections to put in place, you need to know what could cause harm on the set. In film production this includes obvious things like cables on the floor, heavy lighting, stunts, weather risks, electricity, and locations with tricky terrain, as well as less obvious ones such as noise or hazardous substances. By listing these hazards, you create a clear picture of what could go wrong, which then guides how those risks are assessed and controlled.

Once hazards are identified, you can assess how likely each one is to cause harm and how severe that harm could be, determine appropriate safety measures, and decide who needs to be involved. Evaluating existing safety protocols, budgeting for equipment, and assigning safety roles all come after hazards are known, since they depend on understanding what needs to be protected against.