As Hollywood resumes operations following the recent writers’ and actors’ strikes, the industry is once again under scrutiny. This time, the focus shifts from contracts and compensation to an equally pressing matter: health and safety on film sets. A growing chorus of voices, including that of renowned actor Rory Kinnear, is calling for comprehensive reforms to ensure the well-being of those who bring stories to life on screen.
Recent high-profile incidents have cast a shadow over the glamour of the entertainment industry. The tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust in 2021 remains a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind the scenes. Hutchins was fatally shot by a live round fired from a prop gun—a preventable accident that sent shockwaves through the industry. In the UK, another alarming incident occurred on the set of the BBC’s Top Gear when presenter Freddie Flintoff was seriously injured in a crash, leading to a temporary halt in production. Despite an investigation by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), no further action was taken, leaving many to question the adequacy of current safety protocols.
The concerns are not just isolated incidents. BBC News has uncovered widespread unease about the safety practices within the UK’s film and television industry. Rory Kinnear, whose father, actor Roy Kinnear, tragically died on set in 1988, has been a vocal advocate for change. His father’s death occurred while filming The Return of the Musketeers when Roy was thrown from a horse—a preventable tragedy that profoundly affected Rory, who was just ten years old at the time.
“Three decades later, it’s disheartening to see that so little has changed,” Rory Kinnear told the BBC. “There are countless young people eager to join an industry they know is risky, both financially and in terms of job security. But what they might not realize is just how dangerous the actual work environment can be. Now is the moment to seize this opportunity. We must understand that safety and creativity are not mutually exclusive—they can, and must, coexist.”
Christopher Ross, president of the British Society of Cinematographers, echoes Kinnear’s sentiments. He highlights the increasing risks associated with the ambitious nature of modern productions. “At its core, filming might seem straightforward—just a few people in a room with a camera. But as projects become more complex, so do the dangers. Film sets today resemble construction sites, with rigging, towers, and cranes everywhere. Every moment on set presents potential hazards that many are simply not trained to handle,” Ross explained.
For Andra Milsome, this issue is deeply personal. Her husband, Mark Milsome, a cameraman, was killed in a stunt gone wrong while filming in 2017. Since his death, Andra has campaigned tirelessly for better safety regulations and training in the industry. The inquest into Mark’s death revealed significant shortcomings in the safety measures on set. The coroner noted that the risks were not “effectively recognized, assessed, communicated, or managed.” Yet despite these damning findings, Andra laments that little has changed in the years since.
Kinnear’s reaction to the Milsome family’s tragedy was one of empathy and frustration. “It was heartbreaking to see another family go through what mine did. And once again, it was an avoidable tragedy,” he said. “We have to do more. We need to ensure that no one else has to suffer a similar fate. I can’t imagine anyone watching a film and thinking, ‘That shot was worth someone dying for.'”
The fragmented nature of the film and television industry complicates the issue. With numerous independent companies and freelancers involved in each production, determining who bears responsibility for safety can be challenging. Typically, this responsibility falls on the producer or production company, who must ensure a safe working environment. However, experiences across the industry vary widely, leading to calls for more standardized training and regulations.
The HSE offers guidance to production companies, but many believe it’s not enough. They argue that more needs to be done to ensure consistency in safety practices across the board. The HSE, however, can only investigate incidents when they are reported, and any substantial change would require new legislation. “Accidents that are reportable must be reported so that we can build a comprehensive picture and ensure working environments are safe,” an HSE spokesperson said.
A recent questionnaire sent to members of Bectu, the broadcasting, entertainment, communications, and theatre union, revealed troubling statistics. Of the 730 respondents, over 700 said they had felt that their safety or that of a colleague had been compromised at work. Nearly 500 of them expressed a need for more formal safety protocols and standards in the industry.
The precarious nature of freelance work in the industry further exacerbates these concerns. Many freelancers fear that speaking up about safety issues could lead to being blacklisted, effectively ending their careers. An anonymous grip (a technician responsible for setting up camera equipment) shared his experience with the BBC: “I’ve been on several shoots where risk assessments weren’t done until after filming was complete. Time pressures and tight schedules often override health and safety concerns.”
These time pressures and the rush to meet deadlines are factors that Samantha Wainstein, chair of the Mark Milsome Foundation, believes contribute to poor decision-making on set. “There’s no legal requirement in the UK for someone to prove they’ve been health and safety trained before working on set. And when something goes wrong, the blame is often shifted around with no real accountability,” Wainstein said.
A Call for Change
Many in the industry believe that now is the time for change. The pause brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent strikes has provided an opportunity for reflection. With new film and sound studios being built to meet increasing demand, experts like Ross warn of a potential skills shortage—particularly in health and safety training.
Bectu, Ross, and the Milsome Foundation are among those advocating for a portion of production budgets to be allocated specifically for health and safety training. One proposed solution is a health and safety “passport” system, developed by the Mark Milsome Foundation in collaboration with industry training body ScreenSkills. This system would involve role-specific training, with qualifications digitally uploaded to CVs upon completion. Employers could then verify that workers have received the necessary training.
Ross is hopeful about the potential impact of such measures. “It would be a great legacy if we could prevent another death on a film set. If we could all work together to ensure that no one else is injured in a life-changing way while doing their job, that would be something truly meaningful,” he said. “All of the corporate and government bodies involved need to take action. If that means changing the law, then so be it.”
The tragic accidents that have occurred on film sets in recent years have highlighted a critical issue within the industry. As more voices join the call for reform, the hope is that real, lasting change will come—ensuring that the excitement and creativity of filmmaking never again come at the cost of human lives.
