Safety

 

SAFETY - IMPORTANT

At Infocus TV Ltd we take Health and safety very seriously. Our equipment is regularly tested and certificated to LOLER specifications and all electrical equipment has current PAT test. The JimmyJib crane can only be rigged and used by a trained and experienced operator. Rigging of the jib by an unqualified person is not permitted. Neither is moving or operating the jib.

 

PLANNING

 

The Jimmy Jib operator/cameraman should be consulted at the planning stage about the location and use of the crane. The lighting director/cameraman/DOP must be made aware of the crane’s position and area of operation.

 

CREWING

 

TV industry safety professionals advise that, whenever a camera crane is used, it should be operated by two people - a cameraman and an assistant.  It is particularly important in situations where the jib could strike a person or an object, for an assistant to be able to stop the movement if a collision is imminent. Because of the severe effects of weather and wind, the jib must always be operated by two people whenever it is used outdoors.

 

One man operation may be considered in certain circumstances, such as on indoor locations where each shot can be rehearsed and recorded separately and there are no members of the public involved. This mode of operation is only permissible by prior negotiations with the jib operator.

 

EXTERIOR LOCATIONS

 

The crane arm, particularly in its long version, can be seriously affected by wind, making many shots unusable. It may also be unsafe to raise the arm to any height in strong winds. Provision must be made for securing the crane properly if it is to be left unattended, even for a short period of time. The advice of the crane operator must be followed in these situations.

 

RIGGING

Jib set up time can take anything from 40 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the crane required and a host of other factors, including ease of load in, distance from support vehicle. We will not rush the construction of the jib as it may compromise safety. When working in public areas the client must provide suitable security barriers to isolate the working area of the jib from the general public, providing an adequate working area for the size of jib in use.

Rigging time for the standard jib (up to 8m) in an easily accessible location is 1 hour. In difficult locations (e.g. up stairs) or where vehicles are unable to get close to the operating area, extra rigging time has to be allowed. The 10m and 13m reach Jib takes longer to rig and 2 hours should be allowed.

 

Moving between locations;-

If the ground is reasonably firm and level, with no steps or obstructions in the way, the crane can be moved fully rigged. On other occasions, the crane can be partially dismantled and carried. Allow 30 minutes and a minimum of 3 persons will be required.

 

OPERATING POSITION, PLATFORMS AND ROSTRA

- It is important that the operating position for the camera crane is firm and reasonably level. 

- Boards must be used to prevent the tripod legs or dolly wheels sinking on soft ground. 

- Space is required BEHIND the crane for the counter-balance weights and the operator of at least 2.5 metres.

- Weight of crane (fully rigged inc. camera and monitors) = 250 kg PLUS 100 kg for each operator, a safe working load of at least 500kg is recommended. Ensure that any platform is capable of supporting this weight.

- To enable a 90° arm swing, the platform should be a MINIMUM of 2.5 x 2.5 metres (8 x 8 feet). 

- For more than a 90° swing (up to 180°) the platform should be 2.5 x 5 metres (8 x 16 feet). 

- The edges of any platform must be protected with kicking boards to prevent the crane rolling off. 

- Scaffold platforms must not have any uprights projecting above the handrail.

 

TRACKING

A crab/steer dolly can be used on level floors, platforms or firm and level ground. If the crane is required to track “on shot”, tracking rails and wheels must be used. Approx. 10m of "crane track" is available for use with all jib sizes up to 13m.

 

POWER & COMMUNICATIONS

- The basic crane functions (pan, tilt, zoom & focus) are powered from its internal battery, which will last for a full shooting day. Mains power must be available for prolonged use and live transmissions. 
- The operator’s viewfinder/monitor may be mains or battery powered (12V). 
- For Studio or OB operation, either radio talkback will be required, or a feed of production talkback and reverse talkback.  A two way system must be used for communication between cameraman and assistant

 

REMOTE HEAD OPERATION (Hot Head)

The pan & tilt head can be used as a remote “hot head” in locations where it would be impossible to have a cameraman. A bracket is available, which will attach the head to scaffolding or a heavy duty lighting stand. The operator can be 15 metres (50ft) away from the camera with full facilities – pan, tilt, zoom, focus, iris, triax, ret. video, cue light and VT start/stop 

 

DUTCH ROLL (Z-axis) HEAD 360

A Dutch Roll head is available, at additional cost which allows the camera to roll from side to side, as well as pan and tilt.
This requires additional time to rig and set up and is a TWO MAN operation at all times.