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The JSG is part of our approach to undertaking risk assessments for journalists deployed on location. It applies only to deployments which are familiar / routine and for those who are up to date with their 'Working Safely at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳' safety training.

The Guidelines covered in the JSG identify hazards and the control measures required to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Users are reminded that this information is generic in nature and the risks encountered may vary with the particular situation or set of circumstances involved. Any course of action should always be based on a sound and thorough assessment of safety risk.

Activities involving a significant risk of serious injury or death, such as deployments to hostile environments or covert filming, must be approved by the High Risk team and will likely require a location-specific risk assessment; as will activities involving significant risk which aren't covered in the JSG.

Getting Started

Anyone deployed or deploying, must undertake the mandatory 'Working Safely at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳' training course before utilising the JSG guide approach. This can be booked via the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Academy Training site.

Firstly, decide whether the assignment/activity is familiar and routine, whether it’s covered by this guide and review the training/experience of those being deployed.

This flowchart can help you to decide whether the JSG approach is correct for you:

If after successfully working through the JSG flowchart and you have decided this approach works, you or the deployer must then record this in the risk assessment section of the deployment sheet, in the planning section of the Journalism Portal.

Alternatively it may be recorded in ENPS or any other local records system that is used where you are. The controls set out in the guide must be communicated and implemented. Further 'on the spot' assessment is only needed if circumstances change. This can be achieved by using the safety guide app or by phoning back to your local news desk.

Communications and Planning

There must be adequate resources in place for all deployments and scheduling – this is in proportion to the potential risk.

Communications – arrangements must be in place suitable for the deployment eg, mobile telephones, satellite phones, call in arrangements, distribution of any paperwork etc.

Planning – ensure only competent personnel are deployed, with adequate information gathered where possible and provided with satisfactory emergency plans if needed.

Training

Working Safely at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ course

The Working safely at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ course is a 1.5 hour online course which is mandatory for all who either deploy others to location, or who are themselves deployed to location, whether they are staff or freelancer.

Once completed, you need to refresh your knowledge of the course content every 3 years by completing the course again

All staff working for the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ in a country designated as a hostile environment must complete the Hostile Environment and First Aid Training course (HEFAT) and related refreshers.

Any staff who are likely to be deployed to and operate in potentially volatile public order situations where violence is thought to be likely must attend the two day Public Order course.

Training should be discussed with your Line Manager in relation to the deployments you are sent on. Freelancers and international staff without access to Gateway – please talk to your UK contact.

You can also contact the Safety Advice Line.

• ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Academy
• Training and Competence: SafetyList of training resources (online and face-to-face) provided by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Academy

A - Z

A to Z list of activities included in the Journalism Safety Guide.

A - E

• Aerial Filming and Airfields
• Airfields - Small
• Animals: Displaying and handling for performance
• Asbestos Management on Location
• Batteries on Productions
• Boats: Working on
• Broadcast Vehicles
• CBRN and Industrial Spills
• Courts of Law
• COVID: Managing COVID risks in News Deployments
• Demonstrations, Protests and Crowds
• Disaster Coverage
• Disaster Coverage - Health Aspects
• Door Stepping
• Driving
• Electrical Equipment and Systems
• Events: Working At

F - L

• Factories, Industrial and Commercial Sites
• Farms, Zoos and Animal Sanctuaries
• Firearms and Weapons
• Fires - Buildings and Bushfires
• Floods and Coastal Surges
• Homes
• Hospitals
• International Travel - Risks & Health 
• Lone Working

M - R

• Manual Handling
• Non-Ionising Radiation
• Office Safety
• Press Conferences
• Pressure and Stress
• Psychological Trauma and PTSD
• Railways and Trains
• Remote Location Working
• Roads and Streets: Working by

S - Z

• Schools and Nurseries
• Self-Op Shooting (Video Journalism / VJ)
• Shift Working and Night Shifts
• Sports Events: Recording or Filming
• Terrorist Bomb Incidents
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
• Vehicles: Recording in, from and around
• Water: Working On or Near
• Weather Conditions
• Working at Height: General
• Working at Height: Ladders
• Working at Height: Ladder Pods
• Working at Height: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
• Working at Height: Rope Access Techniques
• Working at Height: Scaffolding (tubular type)
• Working at Height: Tower Scaffolds