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As the host, ´óÏó´«Ã½ staff have a responsibility for the safety of their guests, ensuring those visiting are fully aware of emergency arrangements.

What Can Go Wrong?

• Slips and trips from poor housekeeping and temporary equipment when filming/ recording
• Aches and pains in upper limbs, from poor working posture.
• Electric shock from poorly maintained/damaged electrical sockets/equipment
• Fire, due to close proximity of hot equipment to flammable furnishings
• Burns from contact with hot equipment.
• Lack of knowledge of buildings, its layout and emergency arrangements/ procedures. 

Legal/´óÏó´«Ã½ Requirements

• There are no specific legal requirements to draw to your attention; you must still apply the control measures that are relevant to your activity.

Control Measures

General housekeeping

• Undertake routine house-keeping around the office,eliminate slip, trip and fall hazards and visually check electrical equipment.
• Managers should ensure their staff are aware of local safety, first aid, fire and evacuation arrangements (including current Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans)
• Managers should check that testing electrical equipment in their area has been tested and labelled.
• Managers must ensure their office environment is inspected regularly and at least every two years.
• Problems should be reported to either IT support or Local Facilities Management (eg building, desk, cabling, equipment and catering issues):´óÏó´«Ã½ Workplace Service Centre (England, Scotland and NI) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Short dial number: 0490 External: 0808 1688 962
• Wales helpdesk: internal *6000 or 23000, or external 02920 323000
• IT Helpdesk  issues: 0440 for faulty IT equipment

Working with Computers/Laptops

• All staff have sufficient workspace, which is set up suitably
• All staff should do the , which gives tips and advice on working with computers, including laptops.
• Managers should review and act to resolve any arising issues from this.

Guests/Visitors

• Ask what assistance, if any, your guest might require to evacuate the building safely. See ‘Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEPs)’.
• Explain local fire and evacuation arrangements to visitors and ensure guests are accompanied when moving around the building.

Filming in Offices

• Where you plan to film / record in an office environment (whether inside the ´óÏó´«Ã½ or external), check with the local Facilities/Building Manager to see what local arrangements are required and ensure those in office are happy to be filmed. For some ´óÏó´«Ã½ buildings, such as NBH, generic risk assessments are available for such activities.
• Avoid trailing cables (fly, ramp or tape down), ensure fire exits are not obstructed with items/kit.
• When plugging into electrical sockets, carryout a visual check before plugging in. If damaged, do not use and report immediately.
• Use Martindale testers for polarity testing. These Testers are sourced via Safety Equipment Stores (0844 800 8875).
• When plugging equipment into sockets, use a Residual Current Device (RCD).
• Ensure any equipment which emits heat is positioned a safe distance from flammable materials to prevent overheating and potential fires.
• Allow time for hot equipment to cool down before stowing.

Non-´óÏó´«Ã½ Offices

• If working in a third party (non ´óÏó´«Ã½) office, find out what the local building fire evacuation and emergency procedures are.
• Always seek permission before plugging into 3rd party (non ´óÏó´«Ã½) electrical sockets.

International Bureaux/Offices

• If working in an International Bureau please refer to the on Gateway
• For further advice please contact the

Division Specific Issues

• No division specific issues.

FAQs/Did You Know?

• There is an ‘Office Inspection’ checklist available on Safety Hub, which can be used to assist you with carrying out an office inspection.