From Brussels to Europe: CEPI Promotes Free Online Risk Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Productions

On 11 June 2025, in the framework of the project titled «Online Risk Assessment: Promoting Health and Safety in Audiovisual Productions», led by CEPI and UNI Europa, the European social partners in audiovisual production organised a European workshop at MEDAA – Maison européenne des Auteurs et des Autrices in Brussels, Belgium, which brought together participants from 13 European countries.

The primary objective of the event was to present the European Online Interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) tool for audiovisual productions and its upcoming updates, with a particular focus on psychosocial risks.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) introduced the audience to interactive risk assessment tools, explaining how they work and what added value they bring. European-level OiRA tools are valuable resources to raise awareness of health and safety in the workplace, and they also serve as a way to involve co-workers directly in risk assessment exercises. To comply with national legislation, national adaptations are necessary, and project partners are available to provide additional information and facilitate these adaptations. Currently, 374 OiRA tools for workplaces across a variety of economic sectors are available online, and more than 50 are under development.

The European OiRA tool for audiovisual productions was developed by the European social partners in the context of a first project phase supported by the European Union between 2019 and 2021. This tool is now being reviewed and updated, and the new version will be launched in the spring of 2026. The main focus of the review is to strengthen the tool on psychosocial risks in risk assessment exercises, including topics such as stress prevention, respectful behaviour at work, workplace safety, and the management of intimate scenes.

Following the introductory presentations, participants exchanged experiences from the live performance sector in developing, using, and promoting national adaptations of the OiRA tools for live performance venues and productions. These tools and their national versions are being applied not only in workplaces but also in educational settings in Belgium. Once individuals learn to use them, they often continue applying them regularly throughout their careers.

In Belgium, the Ministry of Labour actively promotes and supports the development of national adaptations of EU OiRA tools. To initiate such an adaptation, a variety of stakeholders must be involved: social partners, experts with field knowledge, OSH specialists from the Ministry, and the labour inspection. All Belgian OiRA tools are accessible through an online platform.

A final panel focused on how psychosocial risks are being understood and addressed in the audiovisual sector across Europe.

In Czechia, the Insight initiative by New Era Safety, inspired by the Looking Glass research in the UK, has explored ways to improve mental health support in the audiovisual industry. The project highlighted the importance of developing tools and services to promote well-being, such as preventive health checks, confidential reporting systems, harassment-free policies, and intimacy coordination.

In France, a national OiRA tool for audiovisual productions already exists and includes specific sections on psychosocial risks. It was developed by the social partners together with their sector-specific health and safety committees (CCHSCT Audiovisuel and CCHSCT Cinéma).

In Germany, the Respect Code Film is an industry-wide agreement promoting respectful collaboration in the film and television sector. It is a joint initiative of the Production Alliance, ver.di, and the Federal Association of Actors (BFFS), and in November 2024 it was further strengthened by the endorsement of other major industry stakeholders, including ARD Degeto, the Federal Association of Directors, the German Film Academy, Netflix, VAUNET, and ZDF.

In Sweden, the Guidelines for Intimate Scenes in Film & Drama Productions were developed by the Swedish Film & TV Producers Association and the Swedish Union for Performing Arts and Film. These guidelines provide practical support for producers, directors, actors, and crew members in planning and carrying out productions in a safe and professional manner.

The workshop concluded with a call for participants to further strengthen their engagement in health and safety risk assessment, particularly regarding psychosocial risks.

The updated European OiRA tool will not only serve as an excellent resource for facilitating co-productions, but also as a powerful instrument for education, training, and raising awareness about workplace risks across the board.

The project consortium, which includes CEPI – European Audiovisual Production Association, UNI Europa, FIAPF Producers, the International Federation of Musicians, and the International Federation of Actors is eager to promote the national adaptation of this European tool in various Member States, and are fully available to facilitate this process and provide any necessary information.

Moreover, two new workshops will be organised: one in November during the Torino Film Festival and another in February during the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival, with the aim of further promoting the tool and good occupational health and safety practices in audiovisual production.

For more information, please contact:

Daphné Tepper, Policy Director, Uni Europa MEI sector

Davide Gianluca Vaccaro, Project Manager, CEPI – European Audiovisual production