As well as servicing the daily needs of most film, video and broadcast productions in the UK and beyond, the Association Of Studio & Production Equipment Companies (ASPEC) is busy in ensuring that the areas of training, standards and safety are being upheld and moved forward.
As part of PLASA, (the lead international membership body for those who supply technologies and services to the event, entertainment and installation industries), ASPEC members have been signed up to the new Rental Guard system with its highly-visible shield logos, which are affixed to equipment and premises. This system has already proved to be successful in preventing fraud and theft, by immediately transmitting globally the details of potentially suspicious renters targeting the facilities companies and also where equipment theft from their premises has occurred, often by forcible entry. Items have also been stolen whilst on location and from vehicles. Loopholes are therefore being closed and financial losses greatly reduced.
The safe carriage of Lithium Ion batteries is an extremely important area now being urgently addressed. New IATA regulations came into effect on 1 April and will affect everyone in the industry. It is imperative that these latest regulations are read, and adhered to, for the safety reasons outlined on the IATA website.
Together with the Grips Branch ASPEC is actively involved in revising the Crane Guidance Manual and this will be available for the first time at Cinegear in Los Angeles. This essential booklet, created by ASPEC and referred to frequently both by those on set and those planning shoots, will also be available online. This new edition will incorporate details of all relevant equipment available in the UK. Tables will show the advised number of personnel required to ensure the safe handling of the equipment, together with essential advice on assessing weather conditions and when operating near to power lines. For any further information please email aspec@plasa.org.
