Media arts

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Guideline review date: 28 October 2021

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 600KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 488KB).

Activity scope

This guideline relates to student participation in media arts as an activity to support curriculum delivery. Media arts involves creating representations of the world and telling stories through communications technologies such as television, film, video, newspapers, radio, video games, the internet and mobile media and involves using cameras (still and video), digital and mobile technologies (including games), editing equipment, lighting and sound equipment (amplifiers, speakers and microphones), computers; creating and using props, animation materials and special effects to make media products. It includes using, downloading, mashing, manipulating and posting material sourced from a variety of contexts including online copyright-free sources.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than one CARA guideline (e.g. Visual Arts, Dance, drama) must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

Low risk
Media arts activities involving camera usage

Medium risk
Media arts activities involving the use of media beyond camera usage

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

If any other safety recommendation cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and/or identify and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard.

Students are required to follow the obtaining and managing student and individual consent procedure.

Students are required to be instructed in the safe, legal and ethical use of digital resources, technologies and online environments. Refer to eSafety Commission and Acceptable Use Guidelines and the use of open source material including creative commons procedures.

Compliance with the department’s Guide to managing electrical equipment in departmental schools and workplaces is required for safety switches if using extension or power cords.

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Students

Emergency and first-aid

Induction and instruction

Consent

Parent consent (DOCX, 306KB) is required for all activities conducted off-site and strongly recommended for high risk activities conducted on-site.

Supervision

Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).

The number of adult supervisors required to fulfil emergency and supervision roles must consider the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record
must inspect the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

must be readily identifiable
must closely monitor students with health support needs
must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable.

Supervisor qualifications

Principals make final decisions in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and are responsible for encouraging and enabling school-based activity supervisors to raise their qualifications to improve safety standards.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—Blue Cards procedure and be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

For low risk activities:

A registered teacher with knowledge of Media arts activities and the potential hazards; or
An adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with competence (knowledge and skills) in Media arts.

For medium risk activities:

At registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching Media arts; or
An adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with qualifications in ICT10115 - Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology or similar.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken, including sufficient space, adequate lighting and ventilation to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability.

Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.

All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

A retirement schedule must be developed to replace plant and equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.

A process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity must be established and employed.

If privately owned equipment is being used, Principal approval and owner consent/insurance details must be obtained prior to the activity.

Hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards	Control measures
Environmental conditions Weather Surfaces Surrounds	The school's sun safety strategy must be followed if participating outside. Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions. Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks.
Facilities and equipment hazards	Control measures
Electricity	If power is required, ensure electrical or extension leads do not pose a tripping hazard, are tangle-free and connected correctly. Ensure audio/video cords and equipment are taped or securely fixed to surfaces. Ensure adequate number and placement of power points.
Heights/ falling objects	Assess and manage risks associated with working at heights.
Noise	Wear appropriate hearing protection for loud and/or continuous noise. Maintain volume control at a safe level.
Student considerations	Control measures
Injury	Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment.
Manual handling Lifting equipment	Use correct manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. Ensure students are aware of safety when selecting and using props (e.g. prop weight and using ropes). Ensure appropriate equipment is used to lift heavy objects or materials (e.g. use of ramps).
Student issues Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions	Consider and approve student pre-production materials (e.g. scripts, storyboards, props), including aspects conducted independently out of school hours, prior to producing school projects. Caution students against the risks of filming scenes that have not appeared on their approved storyboards. These include the performing of stunts by students, mock “crime” scenes, the filming of people who have not given their consent to be filmed or photographed, and the use or production of material that could be considered offensive or that breaches the Student code of conduct. Give constant attention to the dangers/risk associated with the location and equipment being used.

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