SAFETY GUIDELINES for TRACKING VEHICLES

The driver/operator has the authority to suspend operation of the vehicle for any reason that he/she deems to be unsafe.

A low loader or towed vehicles shall be used when an on-camera driver's vision will be substantially impaired or any other condition exists

These guidelines are intended to give recommendations for safety when working on and around tracking vehicles, low loaders and camera crane vehicles.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT A COPY OF THESE RULES BE IN THE GLOVE BOX OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES

1. A tracking vehicle includes any self propelled vehicle specifically engineered for the mounting and manning of cameras and other equipment for the primary purpose of filming from a stationary or moving vehicle.

The addition of any manned or unmanned camera crane or arm to a tracking vehicle shall make that vehicle subject to the provisions of Addendum B of this safety bulletin.

2. A tracking vehicle must be safety checked before and after use or at a minimum on a daily basis, and by a qualified, experienced driver who will be operating the vehicle.

Inspection items include, but are not limited to, the brakes, tires, vehicle's electrical system and towing equipment.

3. All rigging of equipment is to be performed in a safe manner by qualified, experienced personnel, in an area secured for the purpose of rigging and free of known hazards; this includes other vehicular traffic.

4. Additionally, the driver will inspect the vehicle after rigging changes are made to ensure they won't adversely affect safe operation of the vehicle.

5. All personnel riding on the tracking vehicle must be provided a safe and secure place to ride, (to avoid the possibility of fall or hazard). This may be accomplished by either a safety railing placed at the appropriate height for the layout of the camera car or by an appropriate safety harness properly secured.

6. All personnel have the right and responsibility to report potential malfunctions or broken equipment to the 1st AD immediately. Malfunctioning or broken equipment must be taken out of service immediately and replaced or properly repaired by a qualified person before being returned for use.

7. Maximum passenger allowances -- Operation of Insert Camera Cars Transporting Production Personnel: The number of employees "....transported on vehicles...shall never exceed a number which may endanger the safe handling of the vehicle...." It is recommended that the maximum number of personnel allowed on tracking vehicle not exceed nine (9), including the driver. This applies to all rehearsals as well as all principal photography and all second unit sequences.

8. Only those persons absolutely required to perform work during the rehearsals and the actual shot sequences shall be allowed on the camera car as determined by the driver/operator, 1st AD and Key Grip.

NOTE (1):

It is recognized that occasionally multiple camera setups are used on an insert camera car. This could call for the total number of personnel on board to exceed nine (9). Such exceptions shall only be approved after the following steps have been taken:

1. Tracking Vehicle driver/operator, the 1st AD, the Key Grip and the Stunt Coordinator (if on set) have determined the shot sequence can be performed in a safe and sane manner.

2. Such determination shall include review of all of the following:

a. Weather at the time of the intended shot.

b. Class of road to be used (concrete, asphalt, decomposed granite, compacted dirt, etc.) as well as its condition.

c. Road configuration (straight, slightly curved, moderately curved, "S" curved; level or inclined)

d. Surrounding topography which may affect line of sight (flat, hilly, urban, countryside, mountainous, etc.)

e. Speed necessary for getting the shot.

f. All overhead and side obstructions.

g. Shot sequence (following lone vehicle; stunt action with cross-overs/head-on or near misses; high speed chase, etc.)

h. Total Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the insert car if added equipment and personnel are allowed on board as long as:

i. The GVW will not be exceeded;

ii. The type of shot planned entails slow or moderate speeds and is on relatively straight and level roadways; and

iii. Sequence is otherwise considered uneventful, safe and not stunt-related.

If higher speeds are necessary, however, particularly over curved or inclined roadways, over unpaved areas and/or include stunt-related involvement, IT IS RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE'S OPERATING LOAD (including vehicle, equipment and personnel on board) NOT EXCEED 90% OF THE GVW.