fbpx
OMPA

INDUSTRY NEWS

11May

[UPDATED 6/2] OVERVIEW OF OREGON PRODUCTION PROTOCOLS

By: | 3 Comments | View: 1911

Getting back to work. 

It goes unsaid that these are trying times for everyone, including all of us in the Oregon media production industry. Yet, we are a strong and vibrant community of professionals, skilled at solving problems and highly capable of meeting the challenges presented by COVID-19. We are also a community of caring individuals known to support each other and work together with respect and grace. These guidelines will help us protect each other while also helping to reduce the spread of the virus as we get back to work. 

Voluntary but essential guidelines. 

The COVID-19 safety guidelines presented here are designed to provide predictability and consistency to the production process. As conditions and government policies evolve, we will continue to establish new policies and practices for maintaining a safe working environment for all productions. While adherence to the guidelines is voluntary, they shall, in the absence of any negotiations which result in alternative guidelines, be presumed to be in effect on productions carried out by Oregon media industry members. It is the responsibility of the parties involved to come to an agreement prior to the commencement of production concerning situations not covered in these guidelines. It is also the responsibility of the parties to ensure state and federal law is being followed. 

GO TO GENERAL PRODUCTION PROTOCOLS

Following the current Stay at Home order. 

The Oregon media production industry is following the Governor’s Stay at Home order by adhering to the following guidelines: 

  • The work being performed is not considered a social or recreational activity. 
  • The business is not classified as prohibited by the Governor at this time. 
  • All individuals, team members and clients, maintain six feet of social distancing at all times. 
State restrictions will be relaxed gradually, so it is our intention to create guidelines that can be applied to traditional production shoots that minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 — while allowing work to continue under any federal, state or local restrictions and distancing measures, which may still be in place. 

How the guidelines were developed. 

These guidelines were developed by the OMPA in coordination with Oregon Film, the local chapters of unions and guilds, local department heads and equipment vendors in the industry. They have also borrowed from guidelines offered by sources like AMPTP, IATSE, BECTU, Nordic Film Guide, the EU and others. We have also tried to be as comprehensive as possible by incorporating the thoughts, suggestions and concerns of our Oregon cast and crew. 

 
This document is meant to augment—not override—other union, guild, Government agency or local jurisdiction guidelines, or guidelines and regulations from insurance companies, production companies and studios & networks. These protocols should be used as guidelines to protect the safety of all those who work on media projects and will be updated and adjusted as more guidelines are identified and new state and federal guidelines are adapted. 

Assign COVID-Specific Personnel. 

It is recommended that every production should include some form of dedicated COVID-19-specific Health & Safety Personnel that manages new production protocols required to keep crews safe in a post-pandemic world. 

Implement an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

If any cast or crew member becomes sick during production with one or more CDC identified COVID-19 symptoms: Notify Production Management. If at work, that cast or crew member should be assessed by medical personnel and then go home, if appropriate.
 
If they go home and are tested for COVID-19 and the test is negative, the cast or crew member must remain home until they are well enough to come back to work.
 
If they go home and are tested for COVID-19 and the test is positive, Production Management should report the case to OSHA and they will have further information about local health agency directives, contact tracing, production closure, communications with cast, and next steps.
 
No cast and crew may come back to work until the workspaces have been deep-cleaned.
 
Positive cast or crew member must satisfy CDC “How To Discontinue Home Isolation” criteria before coming back to work. If the production is in a remote location and/or any sick employee would not be able to go home, identify a place that will serve as an isolation space for sick employees, and prepare a plan for transport and/or housing of sick employees.
 
Ensure that everyone necessary on the production is aware of this EAP.

Pay attention to everyone’s mental health.

Resuming production during this time may be highly stressful and cause anxiety. The implementation of mental health resources to support the wellness of those participating in a production may be necessary.
 
Options could include:
  • Emotional support hotline
  • Telemedical health and behavioral health resources
  • Mindfulness training; and
  • Provision of online tools and resources.

Quick-reference tools. 

Links to Federal and State guidelines. 

Stay safe and be well. 

Thank you for reviewing and adopting these guidelines as we get back to work!

Have questions or suggestions? Email info@ompa.org.

 

 

JOIN TODAY &

PAY WHAT YOU CAN

Through OMPA, you can connect with the Oregon production community and help shape the future of the industry.

JOIN NOW

Don't show again.