Australian Universities Approaches to Occupational Risk Management for Screen Production

Abstract

Australian screen production programs, offering both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, continue to face challenges in upholding professional levels of Occupational Risk Management (ORM) within a student environment. These programs must address the confines of rigid ORM criteria within their university, which are largely designed for science-based academic research, and also adhere to standards of industrial health and safety codes set by state and federal governments. To date, academic literature in the area has been minimal, and many screen production programs have looked to industry and professional bodies for student guidelines. However, Oughton (2010) argues that even the existing ORM model for the creative arts requires revision. In an attempt to understand the current profile of ORM education and practices within screen production programs, the Australian Screen Production Education and Research Association (ASPERA) conducted a study amongst its 20 member institutions. A survey was administered and a case study was sought from one of the leading academic institutions in screen production in Australia. The goal of the study is a preliminary recommendation, which suggests a plan for a ORM Best Practice Model that will address the management of ORM issues across a range of screen production education programs on offer within Australia.