Film and TV production, video production, sound recording and music publishing businesses operate across studios, locations and offices. The workplace health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 apply to you — and production work can carry higher-than-average risk from stunts, rigging, working at height, electrical installations and temporary sets. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces in Great Britain; the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) enforces in Northern Ireland.
Beyond that shared foundation, the rules diverge by what you do. Some activities carry licensing, classification or registration duties on top of the universal spine.
What you need to do
Identify the description that best fits your business. If more than one applies — for example you produce films and also exhibit them to the public — follow every obligation that applies.
-
Every film, TV and music production business
Whatever you do, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe film, TV or music production business" for your health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection duties.
-
You work with child performers, supply classified video works, exhibit films, create copyright content or license music
These activities carry their own regulatory duties on top of the universal spine — child performance licensing from local authorities, BBFC video classification before supply, cinema premises licensing, copyright obligations under the CDPA 1988 and practical music-rights licensing through collecting societies. Follow "Meet your film, TV and music production regulatory duties".
-
Confirm you have covered everything
Whatever you do, finish with the film, TV and music production compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before you begin or continue operating.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Read it on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk