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On-Set Safety Briefing and Sign-Off Protocol

CONFIRMED SAFETY CRITICAL ALL RIGS

Summary

Before any robot moves on set, the motion-control operator should brief all crew and talent on safe behaviour near the robot. Community practice includes a verbal walkthrough of hazard zones, rules for approaching or crossing near the robot, and in some cases a signed written declaration confirming that all personnel have been briefed and understand the risks.

This page documents community-sourced on-set briefing practices. It is field guidance, not legal advice. Follow any studio, union, or location safety requirements that may impose additional obligations.

Why a Briefing Matters

Motion-control robots move precisely, but a person entering the work envelope unexpectedly cannot be protected by the robot's motion. Crew and talent who do not work regularly with motion control often underestimate the reach and acceleration of robotic arms. A pre-shoot briefing sets clear expectations before the robot is ever powered on, and a sign-off record protects the operator and production company.

Community Briefing Checklist

The following points were compiled from the community discussion (2022-08-16 to 2022-08-17):

Robot Hazard Awareness

  • Red lights on = robot is armed or moving. Do not approach the robot, the track, or the work envelope while the red warning lights are on.
  • Do not assume the robot has finished moving based on how it looks. Wait for the operator to confirm it is safe to approach.
  • The operator calls "action" and "cut" for any shot where robot motion is involved. When the motion-control operator is the closest person to the move path, they have authority to hold the shot if unsafe.

Access and Movement Near the Robot

  • Do not walk across the motion-control track at any time without the operator's explicit approval. Even when the robot appears stationary, the track is an active work area.
  • Do not touch the robot, its cables, or its power supply without the operator's permission.
  • Stand behind the designated safe line or outside the work-cell boundary during all programmed moves.
  • Alert the operator before approaching — a verbal call is sufficient, but it must happen before stepping into the work envelope.

Before and During Setup

  • Disengage the robot before setup or prop/camera access. The operator disengages the robot before crew are permitted within reach.
  • Always have the motion-control operator present whenever the robot is powered on — even during idle periods. Never leave the robot powered and unattended with crew nearby.
  • Talk through the move and robot locations before shooting. Give crew a clear picture of where the robot will be at its extremes — not just where it starts and ends.

Communication Protocol

  • The motion-control operator is the authority on robot safety during the shoot.
  • If anyone is unsure whether it is safe to approach, they must ask the operator before moving.
  • Anyone who sees an unsafe situation must call out immediately — the operator will address it before continuing.

Sign-Off Sheet Practice

"We have a safety sheet we get people to sign. It's a quick declaration that they have been briefed and understand not to walk near the robot while it is moving." — Plamen (2022-08-17)

Some operators use a written or PDF sign-off form with bullet points mirroring the briefing above. Crew and talent sign before the first robot move. This is not universal practice, but it is used on productions where insurance or safety protocols require documented crew acknowledgements.

If you want to formalise this for your productions, create a one-page PDF with: 1. Production name, date, and location. 2. A brief description of the motion-control system in use. 3. The key rules above (red lights, work envelope, do not cross track, operator calls action/cut). 4. A signature block for each crew member and talent.

Official Documentation

Flair Classic Manual — Ch.1 Introduction: Safety — p.15

Flair 7 Manual — Ch.1 Introduction: Safety — p.1

WhatsApp Excerpts

"Do not approach the motion control robot when red lights are on, communicate with the motion control operator before approaching, do not walk across motion control track." — Community (2022-08-16)

"Designate motion-control operator as the authority to call action and cut when closest to robot motion." — Community (2022-08-16)

"Always have the motion-control operator present. Talk through the move and robot locations before shooting." — Community (2022-08-17)

"We have a safety sheet we get people to sign — it's a declaration that they've been briefed and understand the rules." — Plamen (2022-08-17)